Eldo Lee Bartels

The family is here to celebrate the life of Eldo Lee Bartels. We want to remember with
thanksgiving what God has done for us through our husband, father, grandfather and great
grandfather.

On March 8, 1924, Eldo Bartels, the tenth child of William and Dorthea (Jordening) Bartels, was
born in Covington, Oklahoma. He was baptized by Pastor H.F. Meyer into the Kingdom of God on
March 30, 1924, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Covington, Oklahoma.
Instructed by Pastor H.F. Meyer, Eldo confessed his faith in the rite of Confirmation on April 17,
1938. His confirmation verse was Psalm 143, verse 10 “Teach me to do Your will for You are my
God and may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

Eldo went to elementary school for eight years in Garfield County at St. John’s Evangelical
Lutheran School and graduated in 1942 from Covington High School with honors.
In 1941 Eldo’s father bought a farm one half mile east of Immanuel Lutheran Church. During
the process of moving from Oklahoma, Eldo’s father passed away. Eldo had planned to attend
college. Instead, he joined the family in Nebraska, and took over the family farm.
Eldo liked the planting and harvesting seasons and enjoyed livestock. He also drove trucks of
produce to market for neighbors. While not working, he was an avid huntsman and 􀏐isherman.
He was very proud of his children’s sporting accomplishments. He was also very active in the
Western community and Immanuel Lutheran Church where he held many positions.

He met the love of his life, LaVerne Milius, at a Walther League meeting in Fairbury. They were
joined in marriage on February 3, 1946 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury. To this union four
children were born: Dennis Dean, Joyce Jeanette, David Douglas, Jana Lynn. They lived on the
farm purchased by his father until 1957. Eldo moved his family north of Western and farmed
there until 1976. They built a new home on the farm where LaVerne was raised, which is located
one mile north of Immanuel Church. They lived there until they retired to Fairbury in 2015. For
two years they resided at Cedarwood Assisted Living and then moved to Heritage Care Center.
Eldo was preceded in death by his parents, William and Dorthea, three brothers, eight sisters,
son Dennis and great grandson Christian Paul.

He is survived by his wife of seventy four years, LaVerne, two daughters Joyce (Mike) Paul, Jana
(David) Kohrell, son David (Kathy) Bartels, daughter-in-law, Nylene Bartels.
Eldo is also survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren *Chera Wenzl (Aric) sons Myles
and Lukas, *Chris Bartels (Candice), *Lori Hill (John) daughter Lynae Johnson (Michael), *Lisa
Scheele daughters Amber Schultz (Josh), Alyssa, Ashley, *Ryan Paul (Lisa) sons Connor, Corin
daughters Kailyn, Kelsi, Kwinn, *Rhett Paul sons R.J., Fenton, *Rodd Paul (Nancy) sons Wyatt,
Warren, daughters Adelia, Mariah, *Laci Loosbrock (Wade) son Hudson, *Jacqueline Huls (Steve)
sons Jackson, Coby, Cooper, *Adam Bartels (Katie), *Kera Barber and *Kody Barber. During his
lifetime Eldo also had 35 nieces and nephews that he loved very much.

Services will be Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church - Daykin.  Public Viewing will be from 1 - 7 on Monday evening at the Funeral Home.  Memorials have been established to Immanuel Lutheran Church & Cemetery.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.