Norman Bartel

Norman Bartel

1936 - 2021

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Norman

Obituary of Norman Bartel

Norman Bartel, age 85 years of Kleefeld, Manitoba passed away August 27, peacefully at his home, with family at his side. He is survived by his beloved wife Rosella, their two daughters, Erica (Dave), Bonnie (Mark), three sons Robert (Iris), Tim (Jodi), Chris (Adele), grandchildren, great-grand-children, two sisters Elsie and Myrtle, one brother Lee (Linda), and sister-in-law Grace (Abe) as well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Margaret Bartel and several in-law family members.

Norman was born and raised in Kleefeld, Manitoba and after spending several years in Winnipeg, Flin Flon and Pansy, returned to Kleefeld where he lived the rest of his life. Always ready for a new adventure, his careers included finish carpentry, teaching, several years as principal, beekeeping, long-distance trucking, manufacturing beekeeping equipment and bee shipping. He had unquenchable curiosity about new foods, new gadgets but most of all new machines he could build for the farm. He would never build the same one twice. If he had that concentrated yet out-of-focus look as he often did, he was either planning some new project or working out how to fix the forklift that came home from a rough day on the field. The last machine he built was a battery-powered cart so he could get around the farm more easily.

Although interested in trying new things, Norman was steady when it came to his faith in Christ and his love for his family. Wherever his work took him he was heavily involved in the church and though often in leadership, it could just as easily be serving coffee and soup. He and Rosella cared deeply about outreach overseas and never stopped building friendships with people in their own circles who were going through a difficult time.

Norman was always willing to stay up late to talk to his family about what was going on in their lives and discuss their faith questions. Evening coffee times and family vacations were filled with laughter and theological discussion. Norman’s love for life, his Lord, for Rosella and for us has been a solid core and example in our lives and he will be missed.

The viewing for Norman will be held on Friday, September 3, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel. Guests are invited to come and go as they choose. There will be no service or reception at the viewing.

A private family interment will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Kleefeld EMC Cemetery, Kleefeld, MB.

A memorial coffee and dessert with service will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. at the Kleefeld EMC (25121 Road 35N - 1 mile north of Kleefeld, ¼ mile west on Gruenfeld Rd.). Please note that due to new COVID restrictions, seating capacity will be limited to 75 people beyond family members.

 A livestream of the service will be available at 2:00 p.m. on the day of the service on the church’s website at www.kemc.net. Please click the funeral button to join the service.

If friends would like they are invited to make a donation in memory of Norman to Canadian LifeLight Ministries (https://truthcreator.com/donate/).

Thank you to Melanie from the palliative care team, and to granddaughter Morgan for her compassionate care in Norman’s final weeks. Thank you to people of the Kleefeld EMC for kindness, support and practical help with the funeral and to Sheldon and Birchwood Funeral Chapel for their care.

Friday
3
September

Public Come & Go Viewing

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, September 3, 2021
Birchwood Funeral Chapel
162 PTH 52 W
Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada
(204) 346-1030
Saturday
4
September

Memorial Service

2:30 pm
Saturday, September 4, 2021
Kleefeld Evangelical Mennonite Church
25121 Road 35N
Kleefeld, Manitoba, Canada
Limited seating available