Bertha Bartels

Bertha L. Bartels was born June 16, 1905 in a farm in the Spring Valley area northwest of Riverton, Nebraska to Charles and Stella (Patto) Schmidt. She passed away from this life on January 7, 2011 at the Golden Living Center, Franklin, Nebraska at the age of 105. She was the last of the 9 children born to pass away.

She attended Spring Valley, Riverton, and graduated form Franklin High School with the class of 1924. She taught in rural Franklin County country schools for 2 years. She married Carl Yelken on February 19, 1927. He preceded her in death on June 7, 1974. She later married Oscar Bartels on October 28, 1990. He preceded her in death on January 7, 2007.

She is survived by her children: Tom Yelken and wife Carol, Franklin, NE; Shirley Quadhamer and husband LaVerne, Upland, NE; Karen Swenson and husband Harry (Jim), Greenwood, NE; grandchildren: Steven Quadhamer and wife Colleen, Minden, NE; Lynn Quadhamer and wife Cindy, Minden, NE; Scott Yelken and wife Lori, Burr Oak, KS; Mary Yelken and husband Phil Kottmeyer, Lincoln, NE; Carmen Paswaters and husband Brad, Pickrell, NE; Matthew Swenson, Lincoln, NE; step children: Bonnie Frerichs and husband Ed, Hildreth; Ronald Bartels and wife Caryl, Minnesota; Sharon Swenson and husband Don, Minnesota; and Janice Rhode and husband Jim; 15 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; 12 step grandchilren; 18 step great grandchildren and 16 step great great grandchilren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers- Delbert, Howard, Lester "Bud", and Raymond; and sisters- Ella Black, Pauline Hamilton, Sylvia Schafer, and Dorothy Steinkruger.

Funeral services will be at 11:00AM, Thursday, January 13, 2011 at Grace Lutheran Church, with Rev. Chad Boggs and Rev. Ron Keuhner officiating. Visitation will be from 9AM to 5PM Monday and Tuesday and 9AM to 8PM Wednesday. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin, Nebraska. The family suggests memorials to Grace Lutheran Church or Franklin Senior Center.