L. Fern Bartels

Mrs. L. Fern Bartels, 90, of Bangor died Monday, June 4, 2012 at Hospice House of Holland, MI 26 days before her 91st birthday.

Fern was born July 1, 1921 at Minden, NE, the daughter of Leonard and Marion Beisheim. In 1924 they moved to Morrill County, NE. After graduating from the Bridgeport High School she went to Midland College in Fremont, NE. Returning to western Nebraska, she taught school for two years before being employed in the office of the Consumers Public Power District. On July 15, 1945 she was united in marriage at Salem Lutheran Church in Fremont, NE. to Raymond W. Bartels, a fellow psychology classmate at Midland. After his graduation from seminary they moved to Broadwater, NE where he became pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, her home congregation. From there they moved to churches in Colorado and then to Michigan. In 1961 South Haven became their home for almost 27 years as they were the parsonage family for First English Lutheran Church, now Peace Lutheran. She was truly a pastor’s help-mate. Besides making busy schedules manageable, she opened the home to many congregational guest and events, found time to sing in choirs, taught in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, worked in women’s circles, served on a state missionary board in Nebraska, and was a life member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society. But most of all she was a devoted wife to her husband and wonderful mother to their four children.

She is preceded in death by her parents, one sister – Claraibelle and one brother – Robert.

She is survived by her husband – Rev. Raymond Bartels. One daughter – Nancy Holiman of Buffalo, NY. Three sons – Randall (Linda) Bartels of South Haven, MI., Warren (Robin) Bartels of Reading, MI., and David (Anna) Bartels of Grand Blanc, MI. Five granddaughters – Lisa (Keith) Rydecki of South Haven, MI., Molly Bartels of Evansville, IN, Kasen Bartels of Phoenix, AZ., Justine (fiancée Paul Burdette) Bartels of Chicago, IL., and Rachel Bartels of Grand Blanc, MI. Two great granddaughters – Krysta and Hannah Rydecki of South Haven, MI. One brother – L. Harvey Beisheim of Estes Park, CO. also survives.

Visitation will be Sunday June 10th from 6 – 8 at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was a member for 51 years also Monday at 10:00 A.M. Memorial services will begin Monday at 11:00 A.M. at the church with Rev. Robert Linstrom officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to Peace Lutheran Church, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Dr. Odunsi Research in memory of L. Fern Bartels, Buffalo, NY or Hospice House of Holland. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333.