Obituary of William George Bartels

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DYERSVILLE, IOWA

William G. “Woody” Bartels, 90, of Dyersville, Iowa passed away on Sunday June 4, 2023 at Hawkeye Care Cender in Asbury.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 10:30 am, Friday June 9, 2023, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12^th Ave SW in Dyersville, Iowa.  Funeral services and a Mass will then be held immediately thereafter at 11:00 am at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery where American Legion Post #137 will accord military honors.

Woody was born to Edward and Marie (Kluesner) Bartels on August 27, 1932, in Dyersville, Iowa the 5^th of 15 children.  He attended school in Dyersville at St. Francis Xavier High School.  Woody was drafted in the U.S. Army and served 2 years from 1953-1955 being stationed in Munich, Germany.  After his military service, Woody returned to Iowa and shortly thereafter began his career at John Deere Dubuque Tractor Works, retiring in 1989, after 30 years of service.

Throughout his life, Woody was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman.  His passion for golf was well-known throughout the community, as evident by his lifetime membership and activity for over 7 decades with the Dyersville Golf & Country Club.  In 2021, the DGCC expressed their appreciation for Woody by dedicating a memorial bench in his honor and placing it on the 3^rd tee of the golf course.

Woody was also a member of the Sportsman’s Club in Dyersville, the American Legion Post #137, the Knights of Columbus Council 1734, and the Dyersville Recreation Committee.

Of utmost significance was Woody’s lifetime relationship with St. Francis Xavier Basilica, being active in many roles with the church, especially as a proud member of the Basilica Choir for over 70 years.

Woody is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brother Dale Bartels of Dyersville, IA, and his sisters: Myrna Carty of Sun Prairie, WI, Phyllis Bartels of Hazel Green, WI, Joyce Caruso of The Villages, FL, and Rosemary Frericks, Joan Bartels, and Kay Krapfl, all of Dyersville, IA.

He is survived by his sons: David Bartels of Walnut Creek, CA, Bruce Bartels of Platteville, WI, Ken (Carol) Bartels of Tehachapi, CA, Tim Bartels of Portland, OR, and a daughter, Amy (Robert) Weckworth of Greensboro, NC.

His surviving siblings include a brother, John “Zoobie” Bartels of Moore, OK, and sisters: Emily Bartels of Dyersville IA, Doris Crow of Dubuque, IA, Bevlin Bartels of Hazel Green, WI, Marlene (Steve) McAleer of Monticello, IA, Patricia Bartels of Elk Horn, WI, and Nancy (Bert) Fairchild of Woodbury, MN.

Woody was also a proud and loving Grandfather to 11 grandchildren: Tori Bartels and Ryan Bartels (David), Caitlin (Jordan) Frederick, MacKenzie (Jordan) Kress and Trey Bartels (Bruce), Alexis (Anthony) Bartels-Popelar and Andrew Bartels (Ken), Jenna Bartels and Natalie Bartels (Tim), Meg Weckworth and Kevin Weckworth (Amy); and 2 great-grandchildren: Mabel Frederick and Kiya Frederick (Caitlin).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Francis Xavier Basilica, or Hospice of Dubuque.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.