George Bartell

George Bartell, 86 of Webster died on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, September 1, 2012 at St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Bristol with Burial in the Bristol Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home in Webster on Friday 5-7 P.M. with a 7 P.M. Rosary. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday. Family prefers memorials directed to the Museum of Wildlife, Science and Industry, P.O. Box 235, Webster, SD 57274. George Edward Bartell was born on Monday, February 22, 1926 to Martin and Bertha (Fromberg) Bartell on the family farm in Oak Gulch Township, Day County, South Dakota near Crandall. He attended country school near his home and graduated from Webster High School in 1944. After he received his education he farmed with his father and brother, Gerald. In 1952 he entered the U.S. Army and served during the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge in 1954 he returned to the family farm. On October 15, 1955 he was united in marriage to Alice Cunningham at Conde, South Dakota. After their marriage the couple continued to live and farm the Bartell family farm. In 1962 they bought their own farm in Oak Gulch Township, but continued to farm with his brother. He also drove school bus for Bristol Schools for 15 years, retiring in 1995. In September 1999 the couple moved to Webster. He was currently a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Webster. He was active in the Museum of Wildlife, Science and Industry in Webster, Andover Threshing, Day County Democrats, 4-H and was a Hunter Safety Course Instructor for many years. He was a member of the Dakotah Territory Muzzle Loaders and active in the Rendezvous re-enactments where he was known as “Sweetwater.” He also enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, fishing, collecting, was an avid reader, Indian history and native culture. He was one of the last founding members of the local Izaak Walton League. George passed away on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at Bristol, South Dakota at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 7 days. Survivors include his wife, Alice of Webster; seven children, Janet (Matt) DeBow of Camp Crook, SD, Karen (Merrill) Olson of Pierre, SD, Joan (Rick) Swim of Springview, NE, Monica (Russell) Larson of Webster, SD, Allen ( fiancée, Leslie) Bartell of Trinity, TX, Brenda (LaDell) Sattler of Worthing, SD and Mike (Jaime) Bartell of Parker, SD; one brother, Gerald (Mary Anne) Bartell of Bristol, SD; eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant sons and a brother, Maurice.