John C. Bartels

John Curtiss (Bart) Bartels was born on October 31, 1938, to Abraham and Olive (Ryam) Bartels in Mott, ND. John grew up in the Haynes, ND and Hettinger areas. He attended school in Haynes where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball, graduating in 1957. After high school, he had various jobs in Spokane WA and western ND. He moved to Hillsboro, ND, in 1966 where he went to work for Stuart Implement as a tractor mechanic. He met Shirley Sorum and they were married August 30, 1968. Shirley brought with her to that union Keven, Kent, Kandyce and Kyle. In 1969 their youngest child, Kory, was born. Bart, Shirley and the five K’s lived in Hillsboro where he continued his mechanic career and later other jobs that included truck driver, car salesman, construction laborer and equipment operator. He was known and admired for his pride, attitude and work ethic to provide for his family. Anyone that knew Bart would remember his keen sense of humor, and his ability to not forget someone once he met them. He was an avid sports fan who proudly cheered for the New York Yankees and Green Bay Packers. He spent many hours assembling over 100 jigsaw puzzles that were proudly displayed, sold and given away. In the past several years, John had been battling many different health issues, but they never took away his sense of humor. Shirley passed away in 2010, at which time he entered the Long Term Care unit at Hillsboro Medical Center. The entire staff was like extended family, and they were always there to care for Bart and his special needs like peanut butter toast at 2 a.m. John passed away May 22 under the care of Sanford Hillsboro Care Center and Hospice of the Red River Valley. Survivors include one daughter, Kandyce (Matt) Arriaga, Boise, ID; four sons, Keven (Melanie) Morehart, Winner, SD; Kent (best friend, Deanna) Morehart and Kyle (Amy Jo) Morehart, both of Hillsboro; Kory (Sheri) Bartels, Oxbow, ND; 19 grandchildren, Karissa, Kayla, Jacob, Maggi, Madyson, Bosten, and Stratton; Ashley, Josh, Joey & Madisyn; Adriana, Brandon, Paityn, Derek, Jacob & Mary; Parker & Avery; 14 great-grandchildren: Isabella, Amelia, Haley, Adaley, Noelle, Chloe, Logan, Conner, Landon, Knox, Lila, Myla, Tatum, Ace & Brandt; brothers, Aldon ”Skip” Bartels, Frances Bartels and Arlin Bartels; sisters, Joyce Wolff, Eunice Schneider, Karen Clement and Sherrill Bartels. Bart was preceded in death by his wife, parents, parents-in-law Albert and Martha Sorum, and sisters Janice Barone and Alice Lee. Bart’s family would like to especially thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Hillsboro Medical Center, Sanford Hillsboro Care Center, and Hospice for their kind and tender care during his stay. They were more than caregivers; they were friends.