Madalyn G. Bartels

Madalyn G. Bartels, 95, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Park Gardens in Fergus Falls.

Madalyn Grace was born on August 7, 1919 in Fergus Falls, the daughter of Harry and Clara (Johnson) Bach. She attended country school #197 in Orwell Township.

On February 3, 1938, she was united in marriage to Ernest “Ernie” Bartels Jr. at Trinity Lutheran Church. The couple returned from California to Orwell Township, where they purchased a farm and had resided there ever since, until Ernest’s health failed and he was unable continue farming.

She worked at Lake Region Hospital for 25 years and at the nursing home, as well as farming with her husband for decades. Madalyn was a life-long resident of Orwell Township except for three years during the war effort when Ernie and Madalyn lived in California, while Ernie worked as plant foreman for Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, Califonia.

Madalyn was a member of Faith Lutheran Church. She was also involved in the Farmer’s Union and the Orwell Sunshine Circle.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 65 years, Ernie; and her brother, LeRoy Bach.

Survivors include her children, Marlys (Lyle) Tollerson of Fergus Falls, William (Laurel) Bartels of Alexandria and Richard (Wendy) Bartels of St. Francis; ten grandchildren, Susan (Dean) Boese, Margaret (Craig) Lee, Meme (Todd) Hershner, Tom (Sherri) Bartels, Lee (Ratha) Hanson, Dan Bartels, Richard Bartels Jr., Terri (Chad) Brandt, Jeff (Colleen) Jorgenson, and Buffy (Jeff) Johnson; 21 great-grandchildren, Melissa (J.J.) Krupich, Matthew Boese, Jason (Kara) Lee and Rebecca Lee, Arianna and Madalyn Hershner, Dustin and Holea Bruggman, Logan and Kristen Hanson, Nicole and Jordan Bartels, Blake and Alex Bartels, Mason and Lucus Brandt, Lane and Avery Jorgenson, Paige, Jason and Brody Johnson; four great great-grandchildren, Brody and Lilly Krupich, Ella and Andrew Lee; two sisters-in-law, Irene Kidder and Beverly Bach. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2015, at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2015, at Faith Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.
Clergy: Pastor Craig Palach
Burial: Trinity-Faith Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls.