GERHARD BARTEL

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GERHARD BARTEL

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the passing of our father, Gerhard Bartel

(May 30, 1936 to September 16, 2023). This is his story - a journey that we wish to pay tribute to a celebration of his life.



Gerhard Bartel was born on May 30, 1936, in Mahrisch - Schonberg, Czechoslovakia, present day Czechia. He lived there until the age of eight, before his family moved due to conditions placed upon them during the Second World War.



At the young age of 21, Gerhard left the seaport of Bremen on August 5, 1957, to travel to Canada to escape the hardships that war brought.



He arrived in Quebec on August 16, 1957, and then arrived in Winnipeg on August 18, 1957.



His journey across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the sea vessel called the Arosa Kulm, made him extremely seasick. Despite this, Gerhard still managed to win first place in a costume party aboard the ship, which was awarded to him by the Captain.



As a young man, he enjoyed roller skating, travelling, meeting new people, hunting and fishing. His travels took him to British Columbia and Banff which he enjoyed tremendously as the landscape reminded him of back home. Nature and the outdoors were his source of happiness. His goal was to travel across Canada and return back home. As fate would have it, while at a dance in Winnipeg, he met the love of his life, Anne (nee Krasnow) where they married and remained in Winnipeg.



As new immigrants to Canada, both he and Anne obtained their Canadian Citizenships. As a young man, Gerhard worked very hard to support his new his new wife, and they had two children, Lydia Bartel-Zobarich and Anita Bartel-Grainger.



During his adult life he worked for Philip Weiss Limited which created both residential and commercial upholstery. His training back home allowed him to excel and cut patterns and provide work as a foreman for 25 people at this company. Later he attended trips with Philip Weiss to Denver, Vancouver and wherever business took them. He worked on large projects that involved the Richardson Building in downtown Winnipeg, the placement of modular furniture at the University of Manitoba, KFC, various hotels and private residential homes in Tuxedo.



Gerhard Bartel was predeceased by: his mother Marie Bartel (nee Langhammer), Heinrich Bartel, Walter Bartel (his eldest brother), Annie Bartel (sister-in-law), Alfred Bartel (his youngest brother) and his niece Gabi Bartel. Gerhard was also predeceased by Anne Bartel (loving wife), Antonina Kraskow (mother-in-law), George Krasnow (father-in-law), Alex Krasnow (brother-in-law) and Dr. Ian Innes.



He would like to acknowledge his good friend Helmut Reither of Richmond, BC who he had worked with for a number of years, as well as work associate Manfred. It was difficult to see his friend Helmut leave the Province of Manitoba to move out west.



Gerhard was particularly fond of the Boyds: Ron and Joan (deceased) and their children, Greg and Ashley and family. They remained friends and neighbours for a number of years on Mapleglen.



Thank you to Lynn Miller and Kim who kept their watch over Dad’s house in his later years and offered constant support.



Thank you to Ana Gomez of the Royal Bank on McPhillips, who treated him with the utmost dignity and respect during his senior years. He was grateful for her kindness and ability to help him with any matter.



Thank you to his son-in-law, Mike Zobarich for always coming to assist him with his technical duties with his TV, and lifting him when he fell. Mike was always there to lend a helping hand whenever needed.



Thank you to son-in-law, Scott Grainger for keeping up with his repairs at home and helping out with snow removal and cutting his grass when he was unable to. It was important to him that everything be kept up to his satisfaction, even though he no longer could do these things.



We wish to acknowledge Gerhard’s family in Germany: Dr. Sabine List, Emilia List, Gretel List, Silvia, Bjorn and Gregor Ahrens, Christel Bartel, Helmut and Hannelore Bartel, Frank Bartel, Gaby Bartel (deceased) her daughter Sonja, her husband and children, Finn Luca, Ilayda and younger brother Aaron, Lea and Jana, and baby Marlo, Heike, Sabrina, Mathias and Rainer, Andreas List and his sons, Frederic and Julius, and many cousins and friends back home. Gerhard spoke often of home and was extremely proud of his family back home and missed everyone. He wanted to go back and visit once again, but his heart condition would not permit travel anymore. If we have forgotten anyone, please know you are remembered!



Gerhard was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing. This lead him to accomplishing many Master Angler awards and Catch and Release in different categories in Manitoba and areas.

His side kick and his best friend, Sandy accompanied him on many fishing trips to the Whiteshell, Otter Falls and Selkirk. Sandy was rescued from a BFI bin by Gerhard and his wife, and was the best dog in the world.



We wish to acknowledge Smoky, his previous dog, and his bird Hunzie who was a constant support and lifted his spirits during the isolation and restrictions of COVID, winter months and loneliness after his spouse, Anne passed away.



Gerhard loved to landscape and garden and was especially proud of his manicured lawn and flowers each year. His garden produced yield crops of cucumbers and tomatoes. He loved to mushroom and blueberry pick and always knew of the best spots in the forest where to find them.



Gerhard loved to cook and many celebrations were held at his home during the holidays and important events with the family.

He was a great father and generous man with his time to both his grandchildren who came later in his life. He adored his grandchildren, Taylor-Brooke and Brandon who were his pride and joy.

Gerhard and Anne were so happy to have grandchildren in their life and spent countless hours by helping with babysitting when both sets of parents had to work.



In February of 2019, he lost the love of his life, Anne. This devastated him as they were married for over 60 years.



His later years brought about many medical issues with his heart, lungs, severe spinal stenosis, C-spine degeneration and shoulder issues. It is hard to believe that such an active man who skied, and was such an outdoorsman would succumb to so many uncertainties in his health.



The family would like to acknowledge Dr. Felix Sikora (GP), Dr. Dhaliwal, Dr. H. Taylor, Dr. Weins, Dr. C. Reckseidler, Dr. Hedden, Dr. McDonald, Dr. Sean Armstrong, Dr. Ruzhynsky, and most recently Dr. Tam and the Cardiology team of St. Boniface during his brief stay.



Gerhard’s cremation will take place at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home on McGillivray on September 24, 2023. As per Gerhard’s wishes, there will be a small service for immediate family only, to say farewell.



Today we lost a father, grandfather, best friend and confidant. Our hearts will never be the same, but we know you are in a better place and you are pain free.



Our father would want peace and prosperity for the world, as he grew up during the tumultuous times of war, as a child. His wish was always that his children and his grandchildren would have a better life.

A limb has fallen from

Our Family Tree

that says,



GRIEVE NOT FOR ME,

REMEMBER THE BEST TIMES, THE

LAUGHTER AND THE SONG, AND

MOST OF ALL THE GOOD LIFE I LIVED

WHEN I WAS STRONG

-Ethan Smith-

We love you – till we meet again!

THOMSON “IN THE PARK”

204-925-1120

This obituary may also be viewed

and condolences made at

www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 23, 2023