Mary Lou Bartelme

Mary Lou Bartelme, 57, of rural Lamartine, was taken to her Heavenly Home on Friday, September 21, 2007, at St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.She was born on March 28, 1950, in Mitchell, South Dakota, a daughter of Leonard and Lydia Koehler Ebert.Mary spent her childhood years in Bear Creek-Clintonville, Wisconsin area, where she was a confirmed member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and a graduate of Clintonville Senior High School. After graduation, Mary was employed by Aid Association for Lutherans in Appleton, Wisconsin.On May 13, 1972, she was united in marriage to Thomas T. Bartelme at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bear Creek, Wisconsin.During their first years together, the married couple lived at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where her husband was stationed with the military. During this time, Mary was employed as a civil servant at Fort Bragg.In 1974, the couple returned to Wisconsin and settled in the Fond du Lac area. Mary was employed in the Veterans Service office at the Fond du Lac County Courthouse until the birth of her first child.Mary was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, where she also served as a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Ladies Guild. She was also involved with her sons’ education, serving as a room mother and Cub Scout den leader in the Oakfield School District.Mary’s interests included baking, embroidery and needlework, camping and family vacations. She will always be remembered as a loving and patient Christian wife to her husband of 35 years and mother to her two sons, Eric and Alan.She is survived by her devoted husband and caregiver, Thomas; her two sons: Eric Bartelme of Rosendale and Alan (Kassandra) Bartelme of St. Paul, Minnesota; her mother, Lydia Ebert of Manawa; her two brothers: Ronald (Joan) Ebert and Leon (Debbie) Ebert of Clintonville; a nephew, Timothy (Crystal) Ebert of Clintonville; and a niece, Kellie (Daniel) Day of Oregon. She is further survived by her husband’s sister, Gretchen (Harold) Burton of Hayward; and other relatives and friends.She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard; and her mother and father-in-law, Theodore and Alice Bartelme.The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at Hope Lutheran Church, 260 Vincent Street, Fond du Lac, with Rev. Arthur Callies officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery, Township of Bear Creek, Waupaca County.The visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2007, at Mach Funeral Chapel, 31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac and on Wednesday at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be directed to Hope Lutheran Church, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or a charity of your choice.The family would like to thank the staff of Community Alternatives and the nurses of St. Agnes Home Care for their dedication to Mary during her prolonged illness. Special thanks to Pat and Bev, Pastors Lieske and Callies, and members of Hope Lutheran Church for their friendship and support.

Mary Lou Bartelme

March 28, 1950 - September 21, 2007