Gerald Bartels

Gerald D. Bartels, son of Emil and Clara (Troester) Bartels, was born on July 30, 1927 at Campbell, Nebraska. He departed this life on March 11, 2026 at Cherry Corner Estates in Red Cloud, Nebraska. He was 98 years old.

Gerald was baptized in infancy at Trinity Lutheran Church, Campbell, Nebraska. He confessed his Christian faith to his Lord and Savior in June of 1941 at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Pastor M.N. Tieman was his pastor.

Gerald graduated eighth grade from District 47 southeast of Campbell, Nebraska and later graduated from Campbell High School in June 1945. He was president of his freshman and senior class.

Gerald was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps on October 12, 1945 and served until October 12, 1946 at US Puget Sound Naval Station in Bremerton, Washington. While there he served as a clerk typist and did guard duty. Upon discharge from the service, he became a lifetime member of American Legion Post 169 at Campbell, Nebraska.

In September of 1952 he met the love of his life, a young school teacher Carol Jean Armstrong who was in charge of 54 First and Second graders at Campbell Elementary School. They were united in marriage June 18, 1954 in Kenesaw, Nebraska. To this union was born two sons, Steven Alan and David Lynn.

Gerald was a grocer and ran a locker plant with his cousin in Campbell for his early career. In 1960 they moved 9 miles south of Campbell and began farming and ranching with his brother Harlan and later Geralds two sons joined them. During this time, he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Secretary, Chairman and Elder of Trinity Lutheran. He was on the Campbell School board for many years and served on the South Central State Bank Board for 40 years. They moved outside of Franklin in 1983, at that time they joined Grace Lutheran Church in Franklin, where he served in a variety of church offices.

After they both retired, Gerald and Carol began traveling with a fifth wheel trailer. They and their Campbell area card club friends traveled to Weslaco, Texas and later they bought a park model in Yuma, Arizona, where they spent many happy winters. At age 65 Gerald received golf clubs and lessons for his birthday and his love of golf began. He enjoyed playing with the Red Cloud One O’clock Golfers for many years and with his sons and grandsons.

When Carol had to move to assisted living and later the nursing home in Franklin, Gerald visited daily and helped in her care. In 2023 Gerald moved to Cherry Corners Estates until his death.

Gerald is preceded in death by his wife Carol, two brothers and two sisters, his granddaughter Amberlyn and great-grandson Jacob.

Left to cherish his memory are his two sons, Steve (Debbie) Bartels of Milford, NE, and David (Nancy) of Franklin, NE; grandsons, Dan (Molly) Bartels, Scott (Heidi) Bartels, Michael (Jill) Bartels, Craig (Brenna) Bartels; great-grandchildren, Clayton, Jaxton, and Zoey (Dan and Molly), Kyler (Scott and Heidi), Ryan, Logan, Ella, and Macy (Michael and Jill) and Blakely, Bo, Brooks and Barrett (Craig and Brenna); nieces and nephews and a host of friends and relatives.

Gerald will be remembered as a devoted servant of the Lord, a hardworking farmer, and a man who loved his family and country deeply. His life was a testament to faith, integrity, and quiet strength. May the seeds he planted in the fields and in the hearts of those who knew him continue to grow for generations to come.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026 at the Williams & Kuehn Funeral Home in Red Cloud from 9A to 7P. Family will be Receiving Friends from 5P until 7P. A Funeral Service will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Campbell, Nebraska on Saturday, March 21, at 10:30AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Gerald Bartels Memorial Fund for the family to designate at a later date and may be sent in care of Williams & Kuehn Funeral Home, 241 West 4th Ave., Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970.