Helmuth Bartels
June 11, 1928 ~ September 23, 2016
Helmuth Ernest Bartels age 88 of Fredericksburg died of natural causes Friday, September 23, 2016 at Ravenwood Specialty Care in Waterloo.
Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 30, 2016 at Peace United Church of Christ with Rev. Burt Williams presiding. Interment will be 2:00 p.m. at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens in Cedar Falls with Doug Courtney, David Brown, Will Newsome, Mark Perkins, Joshua Brown and Tanner Brown serving as pallbearers.
Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in Fredericksburg. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. (563) 237-6212
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Helmuth Ernest Bartels was born June 11, 1928 on the family farm north of Tripoli. The son of Fred and Lydia (Tiedt) Bartels. He attended country school near Frederika. His family moved around a lot when he was a young child. At the age of 13 he left with all of his possessions in the basket of his bicycle and rode to his uncles farm where he worked for him. After a while he moved in with his cousin to farm where he learned life long traits such as milking cows or driving a tractor.
He then started work for Rath Packing Company at the age of 16 where he worked his way up and became a gag boss. At 20 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a cook on the U.S.S. Brinkley Bass, a destroyer. Helmuth was mainly stationed in the South Pacific where he saw action in the Korean War.
He met the love of his life, Carolyne, at the skating rink after a friend introduced them to each other. The couple was married on May 21, 1955. To this union four daughters were born. They farmed together around Northeast Iowa until 1976. The couple enjoyed dancing, skating and playing cards together.
Helmuth will always be remembered as a hard working, fun loving and caring man. He loved being a farmer and was very proud of that. His family meant everything to him and he was so proud of his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helmuth is survived by his wife of 61 years Carolyne of Waterloo, IA; four daughters, Susan (Doug) Courtney of New Bern, NC, Sharon (David) Brown of Newton, IA, Bronnie (Will) Newsome of Beulaville, NC, Karla (Mark) Perkins of San Tan Valley, AZ; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one brother, Melvin Bartels of Hudson, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson Jaydon Brown; three sisters Gloria Smith, Beatrice Wilson and Grace Bartels.
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Dave & Jackie Arpin & the 79th Family purchased the Arrive in Style for the family of Helmuth Ernest Bartels.
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Helmuth Ernest Bartels.
You are all in our prayers and thoughts this week. Be strong and have faith! God Bless always. Dave & Jackie 23 Psalm
The O’Mara family and Linda Immerzeel purchased the Beautiful Dreams for the family of Helmuth Ernest Bartels.
gloria O’Mara is following this tribute.
susie sharon bonnie karla thank you for sharing your dad with me. the greatest uncle a girl could ever have iam sorry your going through this i know how hard it is just think moms with him now and hes happy
Bev lit a candle in memory of Helmuth Ernest Bartels
With great love, Diane and Pekka Termonen purchased the Crystal Cross Bouquet for the family of Helmuth Ernest Bartels.
When I think of attending church as a child I always think of Uncle Helmuth singing with such great joy! <3 Those were very special times for me as were the times I got to share in cleaning out the chicken coop and riding in the back of the truck to town for ice cream. You will be missed by your loving family and many life-time friends. <3
Dear Karla, Our deepest sympathies. Your dad sounds like he was an awesome father with character traits that we all yearn to see again. God bless you and yours. Ed and Kay
Ed and Kay, thank you for the kind words. He was a great man and the perfect father for me. I thank Our Father for sharing him with us.
Dad, you were the reason all four of us served our country. The stories you told are forever etched in our minds. You taught us to laugh, and what love means. Your work ethic was incredible. To me ‘the cows can’t milk themselves’ served as a reminder that you push through and don’t stop. You showed us the world does not owe us anything, we owe the world. All we wanted was to make you proud. Some of your last words will be treasured memories for example ‘I love all of my girls equally’. As you said at the end ‘you need to go now’ and ‘I want to pass on’. That was Dad being the father. He did not want to be a burden. I love you and I thank you for making me who I am. – A proud farmers daughter.
My favorite uncle. He was such a gentle, sweet man! He always made Bread Pudding when we went to visit, and it was so good! Most people called him Whitey, he was so fair complected. I remember going out to the farm and stay and they were butchering chickens, I couldn’t believe they ran all over with their heads cut off. I was 12 and horrified. He said, sweetie it’s what we have to do to eat them. So many great memories. I went to see him this summer and took him coconut creme pie! He was so excited. I had to help him with it, and he was so happy. Such a hard worker, and still managed to farm. I love you Uncle Helmuth, rest in peace. Gloria O’Mara
The teller of many short stories and maker of a ever so hot hot chili. Living and loving Uncle. Hugs
Carolyne & Girls. Sorry to hear the passing of Helmuth. My prayers & thoughts are with you. God bless & give you strength & comfort now & always.. Love Rosi
Sending thoughts and prayers your way during this difficult time. Jon Knight Family
David and Sharon, We are sending our deepest sympathy at this time…..and celebrating the life of your dad. Much love and peace, Lee and Lisa Pool & familiy
Our sympathies to the whole family. He was a great man! I’ll remember his laugh most of all..and there was always a lot of laughing when our parents got together! You are all in my prayers.
Carolyn and girls, my deepest sympathy to you and may God hold you in is loving arms now and always. Love and Hugs , Pat Nieman
Carolyn and Sharon, You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Hold tight the memories. Nancy Franzen
So sorry to learn of the loss of your dad/husband. It’s never easy, and my thoughts are with all of you at this painful time.
Carolyn, and girls’, You have our deepest sympathy. Had some good conversations with Whitey over the years. God will keep his arms around you and guide you through the days ahead. Nancy and Dave Foelske
Hearts are aching with all of you. May God provide the peace needed to get you through this challenging time.
Caroline ,Sharon and Dave, and families, We are so sorry for your loss. Your families will be in our thoughts and prayers as you all face the difficult days ahead. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Caroline, Susie, Sharon, Bonnie, Karla, & all extended families, My sincere sympathy on the loss of Helm. I will always remember the fun time we had on your farm as kids.; riding the horses, Whisky & that wild one that tried to throw me all the time! My prayers are with you all.
Leroy Kellner lit a candle in memory of Helmuth Ernest Bartels
Caroline and girls, you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Dena and Zac Palmer
Carolyne, Our deepest sympathies to you and your families!