Marlynn Martin Bartels

Marlynn Martin Bartels, 88, Lakewood, died Saturday evening, August 7, 2021, of natural causes at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls. He was born July 28, 1933 in Cecil to Martin and Sophie (Herm) Bartels. Marlynn grew up in the Advance area in Shawano County where he attended a one room school house and graduated from Pulaski High School with the class of 1951. Following graduation, he attended the University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture to become a cheesemaker, graduating in 1952. Marlynn then entered the U.S. Army and served his country during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1955.

On November 24, 1955 he married Shirley Sylvester in the Town of Gillett and they had three sons together. Marlynn continued his college education at Wisconsin State College in Oshkosh where he received his Bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1959 and later University of Wisconsin-Madison obtaining his Master’s degree in education in 1963. Marlynn began his teaching career at Greenfield High School. He then moved to Coleman where he was a teacher and guidance counselor at Coleman High School. He also served as Campus Director of Student Affairs at UW-Fox Valley. While living in Green Bay he was employed by CESA 9 & 10, managing Title I education programs in numerous schools and serving as coordinator of the Migrant Education Program in Door County.

On July 24, 1980, he married Helen (Hardin) Boyd in Green Bay and the couple soon moved to Lakewood where they’ve made their home. The couple owned and operated Bartels’ Insurance Agency for 20 years until Marlynn retired. He also volunteered for the Lakewood Fire Department for many years and once belonged to the McCaslin Lions.

Marlynn will be fondly remembered for being an avid reader, golfer, sheepshead player, and gardener, planting huge vegetable gardens and tending his flowers. Marlynn was a big fan of the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, as well as the Green Bay Packers, attending the historic Ice Bowl game in 1967. He spent every November deer season hunting, playing sheepshead and discussing politics with his boys. In retirement, Marlynn and Helen enjoyed spending winter months in South Carolina and walking the ocean beaches of Fripp Island. Marlynn’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors are his wife of 41 years, Helen Bartels, Lakewood; his three sons, Todd (Julie) Bartels, De Pere; Mark (Nancy) Bartels, Howard; Ned (Jamie) Bartels, Appleton; Helen’s three children, Cheryl (Larry) Rueckert, Au Train, MI; Debi (Tom) Bostwick, Luxemburg; Mike (Cheryl) Boyd, Rhinelander; 14 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Douglas and Donald Bartels and one sister June Wesenberg.

Per his wishes there will be no funeral services held. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to: Lakes County Library, P. O. Box 220, Lakewood, WI 54138.

The Bartels family thanks the Lakewood Fire Department and Lakewood-Townsend Community Ambulance Service for their prompt response to Marlynn’s needs Saturday morning.