Elizabeth Fern (Schmidt) Bartel

Betty Bartel

Obituary

Elizabeth Fern Schmidt was born June 10, 1935, in Hillsboro to Adolph and Elizabeth (Funk) Schmidt. She was always called Betty, instead of Elizabeth. She grew up on a farm and attended school in Hillsboro. Her brothers and sisters are Marvin, LaWanda, Lola, Dorothy and Bob. Betty attended and was baptized at the Brudertal Mennonite Church.

On November 7, 1953, Betty married Laurence Bartel in the Brudertal Church near Hillsboro. After briefly living in Drake, Saskatchewan, Canada, where Laurence grew up, they made their home in Newton, and later Hesston. In time, they added Bev, Annette, Larry and Randy to their family.

Faith was important to her and she was active in many supportive roles at First Mennonite Church in Newton. She enjoyed gardening, freezing and canning fruits and vegetables, designing beautiful flower beds, sewing, cooking, counted cross-stitch and various volunteer activities. But her children and grandchildren and friends knew that all of those activities could be dropped to be a listening ear, or to attend their sporting events, concerts and other milestone events. Giving care was her priority and she was an example in the care she offered her mother in her later years.

Betty worked 40 years as an administrative assistant at Hesston Corporation, which is currently AGCO. She enjoyed her work and made long-term friendships.

Betty cared for Laurence until his death in November 2014. She lived in her own home until recently moving to Schowalter Villa. She passed away peacefully in the morning on Wednesday (Aug. 8, 2018).

She is survived by brothers and sisters: LaWanda and Emerson Wiens, Lola and James Suderman, Dorothy and Lewis Schmidt, and Robert and Glendene Schmidt. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Bev and Chuck Regier; Annette Bartel and Kevin Cherveny; Larry and Alyce Bartel; Randy Bartel; Laura and Greg Myers, Luke, Aaron, and Sarah; Ben and Andrea Enns Regier and Charlie; Becca Regier; Ron Regier; James Regier; Tim and Michelle Regier; Wes Regier; Hayley Cherveny Wildy; Molly Cherveny; Kate Cherveny; Sam Bartel; and Wil Bartel.

Memorial services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 11, 2018) at First Mennonite Church, with faspa following.

Memorial Gifts can be made to First Mennonite Church, Newton, for their Caring Fund.