Bartel, Henry (1923-2003)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2003 Jun 13 p. 27

Birth date: 1923 Sep 8

text of obituary:

HENRY (HEINRICH) BARTEL

Henry Bartel died Mar. 5. He was born to Otto and Marie Bartel Sept. 8, 1923 in Grunau, West Prussia. His mother died when he was 2. His father married a widow with 3 children 3 years later. They had 5 more children. Henry learned agriculture on his father's farm. In 1942 he joined the German army. He was a marksman and trained other soldiers. He was captured by the Russians and endured hard labour. He escaped from a Russian camp in Germany and fled to Berlin. He was reunited with his family. He married Waldtraut Achenbach. They immigrated to Alberta in 1952, living in Lethbridge, Coaldale and Calgary, where Henry worked in construction. In 1960 they both accepted the Lord through the Janz Team ministry; John 3:16 especially spoke to Henry. They moved to a hobby farm in Rosedale, B.C. in 1963. They attended Eden Mennonite Church, Chilliwack, participating in music. Henry worked in construction. In 1978 they moved back to Calgary. Waldtraut died Oct. 8, 1979. Henry married Heidi Bruchmann June 27, 1980 in Chilliwack. They lived in Calgary until 1986 when they moved to Mission, B.C. Henry retired in 1984. In 1997 his health began to deteriorate. He loved his Lord and rose early to read his Bible and pray for his family and others. He was kind, generous and hardworking. He is mourned by Heidi; sons Peter, Harald and Victor; daughters Hanna Neudorf, Gertie Verwey and Rosie Goertzen; 19 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Mar. 11 in King Road MB Church, Abbotsford, with Frank Peters ministering.