Obituary of James Russell Hartsoe

James Russell Hartsoe passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday April 10th at the age of 89, one day shy of his 90th birthday. He was the son of the late Russel and Laura Hartsoe. He was born on April 11th, 1934, in Drumore Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Jim graduated from Quarryville High School in 1951 in Quarryville, Pennsylvania and went on to graduate from Millersville State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in English in 1955. He served in the United States Air Force from 1957-1958. Jim later attended Princeton Theological Seminary where he graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1961.

While raised Methodist, he switched his denomination to Presbyterian during his studies at Princeton. During his professional career as a Presbyterian Minister, he served churches in Iowa and Pennsylvania before settling down in Minnesota. Shortly after moving to Minnesota, he switched denominations again and concluded his career as an ELCA Lutheran Minister at Bethel church in Minneapolis after also serving at a church in Hudson Wisconsin. Other career highlights include working for the American Cancer Society and Control Data.

Jim had a passion for the arts, cooking, and music. An active member of the choir, he could often be heard singing a solo at one of the churches he served or he could be found serving up one of his favorite culinary dishes. He loved the outdoors. Jim enjoyed hiking and biking whether in the mountains of Pennsylvania or West Virginia, at the beach in New Jersey or at one of numerous parks and lakes in Minnesota.

Jim was a congregant of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis. He resided in Roseville Minnesota with his partner of more than 30 years, Lyle Steinfeldt. In addition to his partner, he was survived by his children Alison Blasko and son Trevor, and Judy (Kevin) Sventek and their children Ryan and Haley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russel and Laura Hartsoe, his brothers Glenn and Roger Hartsoe, and his former wife Mary Mart.

A celebration of life will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (2730 East 31st Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota) on April 27th. Visitation begins at 10 am followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11 am. For more information on the Celebration of Life and how to livestream the service, please visit HTLCMPLS.org.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Capital projects fund, the American Cancer Society or Outfront MN.