Walter Robert Bartel

Walter Bartel

1935 – 2019

On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, Walter Robert Bartel of Minitonas, Manitoba passed away at the Swan Valley Health Centre at the age of 83 years.

Walter was born on December 5, 1935 in the Rural Municipality of Minitonas. He received his early education in the one room West Favel country schoolhouse. As a teenager the family relocated to a farm west of Swan River, where he continued to work on the family farm. As he got slightly older he attended Bible college in Caronport, Saskatchewan for one year. After this his off farm working career started in Calgary, Alberta framing houses with his older brother, Albert. He then decided to move back to Manitoba, particularly Winnipeg where he got employment as a truck driver with K Leyson Transport. It was in Winnipeg where Walter met Linda in 1961, and on August 4, 1962 they were married in Winnipeg.

In the spring of 1963, Walter and Linda moved to the farm just north of Minitonas to begin their farming career. This is where they would raise their three boys. Along with farming Walter worked for Siewert Concrete, Northern Redi Mix and then began his long bus driving career with Norm Olfrey Bus Lines. In 1968 he started as a bus driver for the Swan Valley School Division, which would span thirty-two years.

Whenever Walter had leisure time he enjoyed going for Sunday drives throughout the Valley crop checking, as well as excursions through the Porcupine Mountains. In his younger years snowmobiling and watching the Minitonas Hornets hockey team were a favourite in the winter months. As his age crept up on him going for coffee with his friends was a favourite pastime.

Walter was hardworking, industrious, energetic and always interested in what his sons were doing, whether it be at work, or on the farm. We will all miss his phone calls to “see how things are going”. He will be sadly missed by us all.

Walter is survived by children, Garry (Laurel) Bartel of Minitonas, Dan (Ladynne) Bartel of Swan River, and Derek (Misty) Bartel of Minitonas; grandchildren, Jonathan (Jolie), Travis (Ara) Bartel all of Swan River, Matthew (Sophie) Bartel of Spruce Grove, Alberta, Kendal and Wyatt Bartel of Swan River, and Brayden and Jake Bartel of Minitonas; great grandchildren, Callie Bartel of Swan River and Amy Chapman of Spruce Grove; brothers, Albert Bartel of Swan River and Alfred (Shirley) Bartel of Calgary, Alberta; brothers in law, Lloyd Champoux of Kelowna, British Columbia; sister in law, Olga Bradley of Rice Lake, Wisconsin; nephews, Randy Champoux of Vancouver, British Columbia, Reverend James Bradley of Kokomo, Indiana, and Dr. Mark Bradley of Traverse City, Michigan; nieces, Betty Mosiondz of Swan River, Judy (Kendall) Martens, of Calgary.

Walter was predeceased by his wife Linda Bartel; parents Gustav and Olga Bartel; father in law Julian Jaremko; mother in law Julia Jaremko; brothers in law, Chris Jaremko, Reverend Ray Bradley; sister in law, Sonia Jarenko, Helenka Jaremko, Lynne Champoux; and grandchild, Tayler Bartel.

A funeral service was held from the Chapel of Swan Valley Funeral Services, Swan River, Manitoba on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Byron Hardy officiating. Interment followed in the Minitonas Cemetery, Minitonas, Manitoba.

If friends so desire, donations in Walter’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Swan Valley Funeral Services

363 Kelsey Trail, Swan River, Manitoba

204-734-5775  www.swanvalleyfuneralservices.com

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