Gladys L. Bartels

Obituary

Gladys Lillian (Gruer) Bartels was born on March 29, 1929, in New Auburn, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Ernest and Lillie (Wolff) Gruer.  Gladys was baptized as an infant on April 28, 1929, by Rev. E. Kolbe at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota, and later was confirmed in her faith as a youth on April 9, 1944, by Rev. W. F. Mueller at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Auburn, Minnesota.  She received her education in Glencoe, Minnesota, graduating with the Steven’s Seminary Class of 1948. 

On September 10, 1950, Gladys was united in marriage to Leslie Bartels by Rev. Wm. Mueller at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Auburn, Minnesota.  Gladys and Leslie made their home in St. Paul, Minnesota, after Leslie returned from his military service.  In 1955, they bought a farm in northern Sibley County.  Their marriage was blessed with three children, Gary, Gloria and Debra.  Gladys and Leslie shared over 60 years of marriage until Leslie passed away on January 5, 2011.

In addition to being a loving wife, mother and homemaker, Gladys worked alongside her husband on the family farm.  She also worked at Lindy’s Café in Glencoe, Minnesota.  Gladys was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota.  She was also a member and served in various leadership positions in the First Lutheran Ladies Aid and the New Auburn VFW Auxiliary. As a hog producer along with her husband, Gladys was active in the Sibley County Pork Producers and was a leader in the Weeping Willow 4-H Club.  She was honored as a Gold Star Mother following the loss of her son in the Vietnam War.

Gladys enjoyed fishing, vegetable and flower gardening, and dancing to old time music. She had a special fondness for her chickens and geese.   After retiring from farming, Leslie and Gladys loved spending winters in Naples, Florida for 17 years, where they acquired a woodcarving hobby.  Leslie carved hundreds of animals and Gladys helped with the design and finishing work.  Two highlight trips of her life were a 50^th wedding anniversary visit to Washington D.C and a six month stay in Thailand with her daughter and son-in-law where, at age 82, she rode an elephant.  Her great family meals, quick offers to help those in need, warm smile, and deep-held values will be remembered by family and friends.

Gladys passed away on Friday, January 13, 2017 after living at Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care in Glencoe, Minnesota more than 2 ½ years.  She was 87 years, 9 months and 14 days. 

Blessed be her memory.

Gladys is survived by her:
Daughters, Gloria Callahan and her husband, David, of Chiang Mai, Thailand,
Debra Gilberts and her husband, Algene, of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Joseph Callahan and his wife, Julie, of Kensington, MN,
Jason Callahan and his wife, Esther, of New Hope, MN,
Hanna Hutton and her husband, Nathan, of New Prague, MN;
Step Grandchildren, Christine Hartwig and her husband, Matt, of Cannon Falls,
Kimberly Aronson of Northfield, MN;
Great Grandchildren, Brittany Dean, Brody Hutton;
Step Great Grandchildren, Steven Aronson, Caitlin Callahan, Christian Callahan, Alissa Steffens and her husband, Darrin, Mitchell Maanum, Jamie Hartwig;
Step Great-Great Grandchild, Vera Steffens;
Sister, Pearl Ortloff and her husband, Kenneth, of Glencoe, MN;
Brothers-In-Law & Sisters-In-Law, Verda Scheele and her husband, Ed, of Marshall, MN,
Marvin Bartels and his wife, Pat, of North Platte, NE,
Lewis Bettcher of Lester Prairie, MN;
Many Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and friends.

Gladys is preceded in death by her Parents, Ernest and Lillie Gruer; Husband, Leslie Bartels; Son, Gary Bartels; Sisters, Marlys Anderson, Elizabeth Bettcher; Brothers-In-Law and Sisters-In-Law, Rosa Gebhardt and her husband, Leonard, Mildred Stenzel and her husband, Albin, Mabel Tabaka and her husbands, Stan and Clarence LaMott, Karl Bartels and his wife, Helen, Ramona Oxborough and her husband, John.