DONNA MARY BARTELS

Donna Mary Bartels, 81, of Columbia, formerly of Jefferson City, died Saturday, April 18, 2009, at Boone Hospital Center. She was born on March 27, 1928, in Albert City, Iowa, the daughter of Rollie E. and Mae Ada Reed Crone. She was united in marriage on May 31, 1949, in Woodbine, Iowa, to LeRoy Henry Bartels who preceded her in death in Oct. 30, 1992. She worked with her husband as the bookkeeper in their family-owned tire company for over 20 years. Donna dearly loved spending time with her grandchildren and helping them with school projects. She passed on and taught them many lessons about looking on the bright side of situations and about the importance of taking time out to enjoy the little things in life, like having a bowl of ice cream on the back porch. She was an avid reader whos artistic talent and creative energy kept her busy sewing, crocheting, knitting, home decorating, antiquing, and restoring furniture. She painted handmade gifts and treasures which will be enjoyed by her family for many years. She had a special knack for being able to create something out of nothing. She enjoyed cooking, canning, and loved trying new recipes. She also loved working outdoors tending to her flower and herb gardens. In addition to having their own family, Donna and her husband Lee served as foster parents and opened their home from 1964-1974 to more than 100 Cole County children. She was also a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout Den Mother. For the past 18 years, she played Mrs. Santa Claus at the Little Learners Lodge. She epitomized what it meant to be a lady in her interactions with others. Her sunny disposition, sense of humor, readiness to help, firmness of conviction, tenacity and quiet courage will be missed greatly. Survivors include: four daughters and three sons-in-law, Teri and Richard Marquantte, Aurora, Colo.; Jill and Joe Bednar, Jefferson City; Julie Roling, Jefferson City; Joni and George Pfenenger, Columbia, Mo; two sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Linda Bartels, Columbia, Mo; Jeff and Bernadeth Bartels, Gulfport, Miss.; 17 grandchildren, Jhil, Dawn, Sean Marquantte; Juliet (Steven) Charbonneau, Angela (Eric) Hanson, Bryan (Emily) Bartels, Michael Bartels; Matthew (Jessica) Bartels, Heather (Trey) Hanshew; Zoe Bednar; Brad, Jeff, Danielle Roling; Jessica Fear; Alex, Gabe, Nate Pfenenger; eight great-grandchildren; and one brother, Wayne Reed Crone, York, Pa. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 23, 2009, at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Rev. Msgr. Donald W. Lammers officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a rosary recited at 7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Vitae Caring Foundation, 1731 Southridge Dr., Jefferson City, Mo 65109; or to Special Learning Center, 1115 Fairgrounds Rd., Jefferson City, Mo 65109. Those wishing to email condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.