Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.  Let us remember with thanksgiving what God has done through His servant, William.

William Bartels, son of Herman & Frieda (Endorf) Bartels was born on August 13, 1924 at Tobias, NE.  He was baptized in the in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit on August 31, 1924 at Zion Lutheran Church, Tobias, NE by the Rev. E. O. Potratz.  He attended Zion Lutheran School.

He confessed his baptismal faith in the rite of Confirmation on April 10, 1938 at Zion Lutheran Church, Tobias, NE by Rev. William Mau.  His confirmation verse was Isaiah 54:10.

William was joined together in holy matrimony to Leona Burstadt on April 24, 1954 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at Collinsville, Illinois. 

He lived and farmed the family farm south of Tobias until 1999, when he moved into Tobias.  He was an agent for Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. for 40 years.  He was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church of Tobias where he served as Chairman, Elder, Treasurer, School Board Member and was a member of the church choir and Lutheran Layman’s League.  He also served as a member of the Daykin Elevator Board.

On April 3, 2021, at the age of 96 years and 7 months, William fell asleep in Jesus at Good Samaritan Care Center in Beatrice, NE. 

He is survived by a sister Lela Bauer, of Gardenside Long Term Care, in Fairbury, NE, a brother-in-law, Elmer Burstadt of Collinsville, IL and many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, Herman and Frieda, his wife, Leona Bartels, his brother Leonard Bartels and wife Lareta Bartels, his sister Loretta Drees and husband Walter Drees, his brother-in-law Harold Bauer, his brother-in-law Erwin Burstadt and wife Phyllis, his sister-in-law Dorothy and husband Rev. Harlan Wendler, his sister-in-law Verna and husband Rev. Corliss Stockamp and sister-in-law Barbara Burstadt, and nephew-in-laws Bernard Wolfteich and Gary Johnson.

the Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.  We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our brother, William.

Services will be Friday, April 9, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church – Tobias, NE. Masks are recommended.  Viewing will be Wednesday from 4 – 8, and Thursday 8 – 8. The family will greet friends Thursday evening from 6 – 8 at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. Memorials have been established to Zion Lutheran Church.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home assisting with arrangements.