Elsworth G. ‘Speedy’ Bartels, 88, of Glencoe passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004, at the Heritage House in Gaylord. Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 1, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe with interment in First Lutheran Cemetery in Glencoe. Officiating was Pastor Don Urbach. Military Honors by the Glencoe VFW Post #5102. Survived by wife, Doloris of Glencoe; sons, Bruce Bartels of Annandale, Don Bartels of Chaska, James Bartels and his wife, Konnie of New Ulm; grandchildren, Matthew Bartels of St. Louis Park, Andrew Bartels and his wife, Brenda of Belle Plaine, Sara Brown and her husband, David of Glencoe, Jason Bartels of Annandale, Adam Bartels of New Ulm, Abby Bartels of New Ulm, Jill Bartels of New Ulm; great-grandchildren, Jasper Bartels, Madelynn Brown and Brooke Brown; sister, Arlene Pinske and her husband, Edward “Pete” of Gaylord; sisters-in-law, Carol Bartels of Ironton, Dorothy Bartels of Los Angeles, Calif., Ann Bartels of St. Peter; many nieces, nephews, godchildren, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his parents, William and Ida Bartels; sister Malinda Glander; brothers, Elmer Bartels, Edwin Bartels, and Wilmar Bartels. Elsworth ‘Speedy’ George Laurence Bartels was born on June 3, 1916, in Penn Township, McLeod County. He was the son of William and Ida (Arlt) Bartels. Speedy was baptized as an infant, and confirmed in his faith as a youth, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. He received his education at county School District #64 and attended one year of high school in Brownton. As a young man, Speedy worked as a farmer, truck driver and went out west to work as a prospector panning for gold in California. On July 28, 1942, Speedy entered the U.S. Army and served his country during World War II in North Africa and India. He was awarded the American Theatre Service Ribbon, the European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Service Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. Speedy was honorably discharged on January 15, 1946. On June 16, 1946, Speedy was united in marriage to Doloris Rennecke at Immanuel Lutheran Church Parsonage in Brownton. This marriage was blessed with three children. Speedy and Doloris resided in Penn Township until 1970, when they moved to Glencoe, Minnesota. They shared 58 years of marriage. Speedy owned and operated a farm in rural Brownton, Minnesota until 1970. Speedy did cement finishing work at Ario Construction Mankato until his retirement at age 65. After his retirement, he held employment at Vern’s Ceramic Tile in Glencoe, was a currier for Security Bank & Trust in Glencoe. Speedy was a past member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Penn Township, Minnesota and a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was a lifetime member of the Glencoe VFW Post # 5102, the Brownton American Legion Post # 143, and the Hutchinson 40/8. Speedy was a member and past treasurer of the Brownton School Board for nine years. He also belonged to the McLeod County Farmer’s Union and the McLeod County DFL. He enjoyed gardening, boxing, ice fishing, taking walks and dancing with his wife, Doloris. Speedy especially enjoyed watching his sons and grandchildren in school activities and sports. Casket Bearers: Grandchildren, Matthew Bartels, Andrew Bartels, Sara Brown, Jason Bartels, Adam Bartels, Abby Bartels, Jill Bartels Music: Organist, Marjorie Hemmann and soloist, Jolene Wacker.
