Everell J. Bartsch, 93, of Mankato, died Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at Keystone Community in Mankato.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, at Mankato Mortuary, with Rev. Gene Glade officiating. A time of food and fellowship with the family will be from 2-4 p.m., Sunday at Keystone Community of Mankato. A private family burial will be in Woodland Hills Memorial Park, Mankato. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Gentle Shepherd Ministries - serving assisted living and nursing home residents; ISJ Hospice; or the American Macular Degeneration Association.
Everell Johanna (Schmiesing) Bartsch was born November 11, 1916 in rural Lucan, Minnesota to Edward and Elizabeth (Luedtke) Schmiesing. She graduated from Kindred High School and from Moorhead State Teachers College. Everell taught elementary education at East Chain, Mankato, and St. Peter schools. On September 28, 1945, she married Ewald "Doc" Bartsch in Fargo, ND. They made their home in Mankato, MN. Everell was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Mankato, where she served as cradle roll secretary since 1950. She was a member of the library guild, altar guild, LWML evening guild, Sages, was a life member of NEA and MEA, and a member of REAM and MAREA. Also, Everell was a member of the Summit Center, RSVP, Mankato Garden Club, and a 4-H leader for 30 years. She was an avid bridge player and Twins and Vikings fan.
Survivors include four children, Dean Bartsch and his wife Ruth, of Brooklyn Center; Jane Freitag and her husband Jeff, of Michigan City, Indiana; Ann Hager and her husband Ray, of Mankato; and Mary Reed of Eden Prairie; five grandchildren, Sarah Rogers and her husband Justin, Emily Bartsch, Brian Bartsch, Nicholas Freitag, Anthony Freitag and his wife Randi; one great-grandson Andrew Rogers; sister-in-law Lois Schmiesing of Freeland, Maryland; three nephews and a niece. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ewald "Doc" Bartsch in 2002; two sisters and a brother.
Everell's family would like to thank the staff of Keystone for the care and love given to her during her years there and also to Gloria Johnson for her friendship and care.