Kenneth Bartell

Funeral Service for Kenneth Merle Bartell, 75, of Herman, Minnesota will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Rev. Thomas Olson officiating. Organist will be LeAnn Bjornson. Pallbearers will be Gary Thorstad, Jerry Bruns, Roger Derby, Dean Olhoft, Greg Richards, Mark Baldry and Dale Ennen. Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Herman, Minnesota. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 24th from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at the Ranney Funeral Chapel in Herman. Visitation will continue Tuesday morning one hour prior to services at the church. Ken was born on November 24, 1934 in Dollymont Township, Traverse County, Minnesota to William and Jennie (Itzen) Bartell. He grew up and attended church at Eden Reformed Church in Herman. He graduated from Herman High School in 1952. Ken was united in marriage to Gail Cobb on October 9, 1952. They were members of Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Norcross. After the church in Norcross closed Ken and Gail began attending church at Good Shepherd Lutheran in Wheaton. Ken was active in his church and community. He was President of Our Saviours Lutheran Church Council, Sunday School Superintendent, Secretary of Herman Market Company, Adult Leader of Prairie Ramblers 4-H Club, UHF Board, Luther League, Good Shepherd Church Choir, Ah-Men Choir, and was involved with Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Habitat for Humanity in Rockport, Texas. Kenneth sang for many occasions including weddings, funerals, church services as well as singing at Nursing and Retirement Homes. From March to November he loved working the land, whether in the field or in his garden. Ken also enjoyed bowling, camping and fishing. Along with farming, Ken raised hogs for many years. Ken also worked at Wells Olson Hardware during the holiday season for many years. Kens greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kenneth passed away on January 20, 2010 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Gail Bartell of Traverse Care Center in Wheaton, three children: Terry (Lois) Bartell of Herman, Kathy (Les) DeBuhr of Chokio, Minnesota and Bonnie Bartell of Las Vegas, Nevada, three sisters: Joan (Paul) Bruns of Morris, Minnesota, Betty Thorstad of Morris, Minnesota and Sylvia (Robert) Fridgen of Plymouth, Minnesota, five grandchildren: Michael (Audra) Bartell and their children Olivia and Isabelle of Alexandria, Minnesota, Christa (Chris) Howell and their children Carter, Claire and Caden of Moorhead, Minnesota, Nancy (Brandon) Solberg of Minneapolis, Minnesota, John DeBuhr and Mitchell DeBuhr both of Chokio, Minnesota. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Kenneth and Mae Cobb, brother-in-law, Gordon Thorstad and nephew, John Thorstad.