LOUISE BARTLETTE

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LOUISE BARTLETTE Louise Bartlette went home to be with Jesus and to join her loved ones on October 19, 2005 at 7:30 p.m., six days before her 94th birthday. She was a resident of Bethesda Place Personal Care Home in Steinbach for the past two years. Her last day was spent peacefully and joyfully with her children. Louise was born on October 25, 1911 in Arkadak, Russia, and was the fourth daughter of John and Anna Schroeder. She was 12 years old when her family came to Canada, along with hundreds of other Mennonites fleeing Russia after the Revolution. Her family finally settled in Morris where her father began what was then known as Schroeder's Greenhouse. Louise spent one year in school learning to read and write English. On November 29, 1930 Louise married Roger Bartlette, known to everyone as the local barber. Together they raised a large family. Eighteen pregnancies resulted in eleven surviving children. Her life was spent primarily on raising her children and running an efficient household. During the 3 years that Roger was in the Army, she raised eight children alone. Louise was a wonderful cook. After her youngest child went off to school, she became chief cook at the Morris General Hospital, where she worked for 15 years. She now had the time to develop her love for art, and received training in ceramics and oil painting. Anticipating Roger's retirement, she purchased a ceramic business known as Louise's Ceramics, where she, in turn, trained many would-be artists. At the age of 72 she travelled to Israel, a fulfillment of one of her life-long dreams. She taught her children to work hard, saying often that there were no such words as I can't . She loved music, and sang and whistled while she went about her work. She baked buns and cookies for the piano teacher in exchange for her children's music lessons. Because she loved God, several of her children were sent to Bible School. The greatest gift Louise gave to her children was her faith in Jesus Christ. Because her faith was vital to her, Louise was involved with Friendship Bible coffees; hosting them weekly in her home. The study of the Word and prayer were her life's blood. Louise was baptized in 1948 in the North Kildonan M.B. Church, and until she moved to Bethesda Place in Steinbach, she attended the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Morris. Her greatest loss was the death of her husband Roger in 1973. She remained stalwart and took comfort in her faith. In 1999, after suffering a light stroke, Louise moved into Parkside Villa, Morris, where she spent five years. Two years ago when she required more care, she took up residence in the Bethesda Place Personal Care Home in Steinbach. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Anna Schroeder, and by sisters, Maria Stoesz, Katy Enns, and Elfrieda Schroeder. Mourning her loss are sisters, Erica Voth and Agathe Martens, both of Winnipeg, and brother John Schroeder of Morris. Louise was predeceased by her beloved husband Roger in 1973, daughters Annette in 1948 and Judy in 1999, and son John in 2005. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Marie Lewonchuk (Mike), Lenore Eidse (Ralph), all of Winnipeg, Sandra Birdsell (Jan Zarzycki) of Regina, Joan Berard (Lawrence) of Macdonald, MB, Betty Brandt (Henry) of Winnipeg; her sons, Norman (Betty) of Ottawa, Bob (Betty) of St. Albert, AB, Peter (Kathy) of Brandon; also Lin Bartlette of Blumenort and Jim Scott of Courtenay, BC; 30 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Morris on Monday, October 24 at 1:00 p.m., with viewing prior to the service. There will be viewing at Morris Funeral Home on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. If friends so desire, donations in Louise's memory may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5K9. Our thanks to the staff at Bethesda, and especially to the staff of Cranberry Cove, for the love and care you gave to our mother. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord... that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Rev.14:13 MORRIS FUNERAL HOME 746-2451 Toll Free 1-866-746-2451

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 22, 2005