Kenneth "Wheels" D. Bartelt

Kenneth “Wheels” Bartelt

Kenneth Dean Bartelt, 89, of the town of Greenwood, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Vita Care in Medford under the care of Hope Hospice.

A funeral service for Wheels will take place at 1:00PM on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, N5868 County Road C, Rib Lake, with Pastor Kenneth Bittorf officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will take place at St. Peter's Lutheran Church from 9:00 AM until the time of service at 1:00 PM. Military Honors will be performed by the Rib Lake American Legion Post #274.

Ken was born August 17, 1933, to George and Bertha (Klein) Bartelt in the town of Greenwood.  At age 20, he was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1955.  He married Doris Rinehart on July 14, 1956, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in the town of Greenwood.  He made his home in the town of Greenwood while farming, working for the creamery, and logging.  Five children followed:  Sandra, Barbara, Brian (“Clyde”), Sharon, and JoAnne.  As time passed, he continued farming and worked for Smola Bros. Logging where he earned his handle, “Wheels.”  He partially retired at age 78 and drove pulp truck part time until age 79.

Wheels was a kid at heart, and he adored his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.  He thoroughly enjoyed convincing them to go along with his shenanigans, and they loved it as well.  He loved the outdoors and socializing, teaching his kids and grandkids integrity, the value of hard work and the reward of a “cold one” at the end of it, the satisfaction of a well-timed joke, and how to properly “dry firewood.”  His wit was sharp, and his love immeasurable.  He was a man to be counted-upon, earning countless friends along the way.  He will be deeply missed, but always remembered with a grin and a story.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Doris, their five children Sandi (Jim Wells) Kuenne, Barbara (Terry) Kallenbach, Brian (Tamara) Bartelt, Sharon (Dave) Prasnicki, and JoAnne (Scott) Scheithauer; brother Bernie Bartelt; sisters-in-law Lori (Roger) McClain, and Elaine Bartelt; grandchildren Jennifer (Travis) Staab, David (Trisha Arnold) Kuenne, Kevin (Michelle) Bartelt, Rachel Bartelt,  Warren (Dani Kroeplin) Bartelt, Navar and AJ Rodriguez, Jacob (Paige) Faber, Eric, Alex, and Kyra Scheithauer.  Great-grandchildren Tristan, Sydney, Landyn, Alexander, Taegan, Levi, Sophia, Lily, Lana, Cash, and one on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Mel, Harold, and Don; Sisters Darlene (“Doll”) Gordon and Ethel Klimeck, and Phyllis in infancy; Sisters-in-law Mary, Fran, and Bernice Bartelt and brother-in-law John Klimeck.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary donation that the family plans to donate to Hope Hospice, whose incredible care was an absolute blessing.

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