Viola (Richter) Bartels

Viola Bartels, 86 of the Salem Community, passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at Hospice Brazos Valley Inpatient Facility in Bryan.

Visitation will be Friday, February 12th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Brenham Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 13th at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church of Salem with Pastor Rich Nelson officiating. Interment will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery.

On November 19, 1929, Viola was born in Brenham to parents Ernest and Nelda (Kramer) Richter. She was baptized January 5, 1930 and confirmed April 2, 1944 in Salem Lutheran Church of Salem, where she remained a lifelong member. Viola attended Pleasant Hill School. On September 3, 1950, she was married to Gilbert Bartels at Salem Lutheran Church. The couple made their home in the Salem Community, where they farmed and ranched. She worked as a Brenham ISD cafeteria employee until her retirement.

She remained active on the farm raising cattle, gardening and also cooking and sewing, especially for family.

Loving family includes: son, Randy Bartels and wife Paula of Brenham; daughter, Rita Schatte and husband Larry of Giddings; special niece, Kathy Meier, husband Robert and family; grandchildren, Rebecca and Chris Ryland, James Bartels, Nina Marie and David Moreland, Stephen and Kelli Bartels, Lt. Col. Jason R. Bartels and Dr. Helen Reade, Capt. Kristopher and Bridget Bartels, Jennifer Michel and Major Jeff Forness, Lara Lea Bartels, Dusty and Keri Schatte, Amy and Josh Weston, Meghan Schatte; 20 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Linda Bartels; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Royce and Barbara Bartels; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by: parents, husband, son Larry Bartels and brother Robert Richter.

Pallbearers will be: Capt. Kris Bartels, Major Jeff Forness, Stephen Bartels, James Bartels, Dusty Schatte and Dustin Meier. Honorary pallbearer is Lt. Col. Jason Bartels.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Salem Lutheran Church of Salem.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Tributes may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.