Obituary of Rosella Bartel

Rosella Bartel, age 85 of Kleefeld, Manitoba, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, MB. 

She is survived by two daughters Erica (Dave) and Bonnie (Mark) and three sons Bob (Iris), Tim (Jodi), Chris (Adele), twenty-six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many siblings and in-laws.

She was predeceased by her husband Norman, her parents Jacob & Gertrude Koop, four brothers and several in-laws.

Mom was born in the Landmark area but spent her growing up years in Kleefeld, alongside her sixteen siblings. She grew up in a family that treasured laughter and fun, but above all faithfulness to Jesus. She brought those same values to her own family. There was always a lot of laughter in our home. When more difficult times hit, she decided we needed to laugh so she went out and bought joke books that we read around the supper table bringing the laughter back, and it hasn’t left to this day. 

Her love for Jesus very clearly helped steer her daily. We were always pointed back to Him when we came to her for advice. Her steadfast faithfulness showed a deep, abiding and unshakeable trust in her Lord. This came through clearly after Dad passed away in 2021. Although she was lonely and missed him deeply, she was determined to use whatever time she had left to show the love of God to everyone she met.

There were no strangers in Mom’s world. If she didn’t know who you were, she made a point of finding out. Her love for people showed itself in the many times she invited newcomers in church to our home for lunch on Sundays.  She volunteered, together with her sister Leanora, at the Charis Centre in Winnipeg, teaching young struggling moms all about God’s love for them and His ability to redeem any situation. She loved all the young women and always felt hopeful for them, even when they didn’t feel it for themselves.

Mom poured whatever she had into her children and grandchildren. When any of us married, the in-law was always accepted as another one of her children or grandchildren. We all had the honour of sitting vigil with Mom in her last week. Everyone, including grandchildren, wanted to be by her side and do what they could to help her. She was deeply loved because she had so deeply loved all of us and she will be greatly missed.

We’d like to thank the Doctor’s, Nurses and Health Care Aides on the second floor at Bethesda Regional Health Centre for their incredible care of Mom for the last three weeks.  Your gentleness and care for her was very much appreciated by all of us. We would  also like to express thanks to the Kleefeld Church for all their support and help.

A come and go viewing will take place on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.  

The memorial service will be held on Thursday March 7, 2024, at 2:00 p.m, at Kleefeld Evangelical Mennonite Church, 25121 RD 35N, Kleefeld, MB.  To join the family via livestream, click HERE prior to the service and follow the prompts.

Private family interment will be held at Kleefeld Evangelical Mennonite Church Cemetery.