Harold D. Bartels

Harold D. Bartels, age 90, of Wild Rose, formerly of Wautoma, passed away Wednesday morning, December 30, 2020 at his home.

He was born April 25, 1930 in Plainfield the son of Irvin and Merna (Drake) Bartels.  Harold married Blanche Callahan on November 21, 1951 in Arkansas. She preceded him in death on May 24, 1989.  He later married Diane M. (Sieg) Klick on September 13, 1991 at Grace United Methodist Church in Wautoma.

Harold was born on the farm west of Plainfield.  He was a 1948 graduate of Tri-County High School.  He then went to work for Nekoosa Edwards Paper Company along with helping his dad on the farm from 1948 until he was drafted into the United States Army on July 19, 1951.  Serving in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Germany.  Harold received his Honorable Discharge from the Army on July 2, 1953. He then worked for Karl’s IGA, Speed Queen and was owner of the Perry Patch.  He retired after 35 years of service with the Wautoma Area School District.

 He was an active member in the community where he was on the Wautoma City Council, served as Alderman in ward 1, was chairman of police committee, chairman of the parks committee, Board of review, Sanitation, Cemetery Public Records & License and Trade Committees.  Former member of Grace United Methodist Church and served on the council. Harold was also a faithful member of the American Legion Post 317 of Wautoma.  He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Wautoma.

Harold is survived by his wife, Diane M. Bartels, Wild Rose; his son, Perry (Lynn) Bartels and their daughters, Katherine (Matt) and Caroline of Kirkwood, MO; his daughter, Cindy (Travis) Pennau and their children, Trace, Ty and Gabriella of Pilot Point, TX; his stepsons, Ray (Annette) Klick, Pine River, Dan (Dina) Klick, Wild Rose; stepdaughters, Debbie (Scott) Lamb, Wild Rose, Roxie (Brad) Leary, Redgranite; his step grandchildren, Tara (Jared) Lamb and children, Lincoln and Finnley; Stephanie (Travis) Rice and their children, Harrison and Emilia; Nick (Brittany) Lamb and their children, Easton, Carson and Emerson; Alex (Dawn) Klick and their daughter, Brecklyn; Gavin (Tommi) Leary stationed at Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Alaska; Faith Klick and Halle Leary; his sisters, Dorothy (Ken) Poppe of Mesa, AZ., and Diane E. Bartels, Wild Rose; his sisters-in-law, Terry Callahan of Plainfield, WI., Ruby Garrett of Waukesha, WI., and brothers-in-law, Don Wargula of Ripon, WI. And Jim (Madeline) Callahan of Hancock, WI; further survived by several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his first wife, Blanche, he was preceded in death by his parent and brother, Robert Bartels; brothers-in-law, Dick (Naida) Callahan, Jerry Callahan, Charles Callahan, Nelson Garrett and Richard Sieg; sisters-in-law, Marge (Bill) Sullivan, Mabel (Tunk) Sullivan, Annabelle (Bob) Allison, Delores Gross, Dorothy (Carl) Adams and Beverly Wargula.

The family will have a Celebration of Harold’s Life in spring of April 2021.

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