Marles Joy Bartels

MARLES JOY BARTELS was born on November 2, 1936 to Lester and Marvel (Rock) Gilliland in Pipestone, Minnesota. In her younger years she was involved in 4-H showing champion Angus Steers at the County and State Fairs. She attended Pipestone High School, graduating in 1954. She then attended South Dakota State and earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development, graduating in 1958. On August 30, 1958 she was united in marriage to Harvey Ernest Bartels at Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone. She spent the years while her children were young raising them and being in the home. As her children grew, she obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant Certification and worked as a Home Health Care Worker. In 1987 she began working at the Good Samaritan Society until her retirement in 2003. After her retirement she enjoyed time spent with Harvey until he passed away on August 17, 2005. After his death she continued living in her home until May 24, 2017 when she became a resident of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. She passed away peacefully there on Friday, July 6, 2018 at the age of 81 years, 8 months, and 4 days.

Marles was a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone where she was a part of the Circle, was a Sunday School Teacher, and was in the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed gardening, canning and freezing foods, baking her delicious cinnamon sweet rolls, and collecting teddy bears. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Her favorite times were family get-togethers at holidays and special occasions.

Marles is lovingly remembered by her six children, Dale of Chester, South Dakota, Allen (Shelly) of Grand Island, Nebraska, Randy (JoAnn) of Garretson, South Dakota, Diane (Dana) Clark of Pipestone, Debra (Shane) Biever of Pipestone, and David (Sarah) of Clarkfield, Minnesota; 14 grandchildren, Leslie, Justin, Joseph, Brett, Andy, Josh, Ryan, Emilie, Megan, McKenzie, Stephanie, Sandra, Daniel, and Ashley; five great-grandchildren, Xander, Zoey, Paisley, Mya, and Skyler. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey; her parents; and her brother, Daryl.