Service Information
Donald G. “Bart” Bartholomew, age 85, of Hamburg, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, Minnesota.
Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, 12:00 P.M., at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church West Campus (7150 Rolling Acres Road) in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 11:00 - 12:00 P.M., 1 hour prior to the service ALL at the church.
Obituary
Donald “Bart” Gale Bartholomew was born on December 5, 1940, in Milton Township, Dodge County, MN. The son of Albert and Irene (Strieff) Bartholomew. He was a graduate of West Concord High School, and after high school, he joined the US Army Reserve, from which he later received an Honorable Release from Active Duty.
Don married Karen Wilson ( also of West Concord ) on October 17th, 1964. They moved to the Lakeville, MN area shortly thereafter to be closer to his work at Ziegler Cat in Bloomington, MN. He completed the Caterpillar Field Service Training Program in Peoria, IL, and then began his career with Ziegler.
He spent the next 40 years with Ziegler in various roles within the company and was always regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and best mechanics in the field. The relationships and friendships created throughout his career with Ziegler were countless and continued well into his retirement years.
In 1994, he and Karen moved from Bloomington, MN, to a small hobby farm outside of Hamburg, MN. A beautiful property and farm site with several outbuildings and some pasture land where Bart could park his growing collection of Cat Crawlers and Graders. In 1996, Karen passed away at the farm, but Bart has called it home ever since and has found great joy and peace there amongst the beautiful surroundings and countryside. He has spent countless hours planting trees, hedges, and gardens over the years, along with restoring some of the outbuildings, the dairy barn, and countless tractors.
In the late 1990's, Don and Sue Clough (Prior Lake, MN) became close friends and started dating, spending the following 30 years sharing life together. They loved working on home projects together, traveling, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. Their love for each other and for their respective families has been truly a gift and has created countless special memories for all to cherish.
He is survived by his sister, Darlene (John & children); brother, Bill ( Lavonne & children); son, Gregg (Megan, Gracie & Bennett); son -in-law, Kyle (Kal & Max ); Sue Clough and family; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces & nephews.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Albert & Irene; brother, Delmar; wife, Karen, and daughter, Courtney.
Gary Marquardt says
Miss you already Bart, always a joy to see you. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Bart at Ridgeview last week, meant a lot to me.
Your Friend Gary
Lynne Brueggemeier says
Bart – always enjoyed your visits when you stopped in a Fahey’s office and at the auctions I would see you at. Deepest sympathies to the family.
Lynne B
Paul Dudgeon says
Bart.
Always enjoyed your company and good sense of humor at the gray fox meat raffles, happy trails and you will be missed.
Condolences to the family.
Jill Nachreiner says
Don,
I will miss all the good laughs and bs. So honored to have known you. I just heard of your passing and it was a very sad day for me. I will miss you my good friend.
Condolences to the family.
Stephanie Adams says
Will miss you and your denim overalls, friendly spirit and smile. R.I.P
Michelle & Todd Lins says
Our heartfelt condolences to the Bartholomew family and to Sue (and her family)! It saddens my heart that this gentleman has left the farm, his family & community he so dearly loved! He will be greatly missed!
I know for certain his beautiful daughter, Courtney stands at the gates of heaven with joyful jubilation and excitement to see him again!
Steve & Bonnie Schmitz says
I had the great pleasure of knowing Don. He loved all antiques & had many . Always a delight to see what he had added to his collection. Wonderful man to work for & he became a good friend . Don even came to visit & brought my wife peaches from his trees , so she could make pies. She would share her baked goods with Don. Rest in peace my friend. Our Sympathy to his Family.
Bob Riley says
Good memories of the many years living in the Bloomington neighborhood and the good times with our urban 4-h club.