Alfred Bartel

Alfred Alexander Bartel was born to Bernard and Agnes Penner Bartel on September 6, 1937 at home in Clearspring, Manitoba. He passed away on October 7, 2026 at the Maplewood Manor, Steinbach, reaching the age of eighty-nine years old.

Fred spent his first four years living in Clearspring, on his grandpa Bartel’s yard, before the family relocated to a farm in Greenland. He received his education in the North Greenland School, walking to school with his siblings.

Dad gave his heart to God and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite by Min. Harry Harms on November 13, 1955. He dearly loved the Lord and prayer wasn’t to be missed. We all remember evening devotions, often each reciting a verse before prayer.

In his youth Dad started to notice a pretty Giesbrecht girl. Their love blossomed and one day Grandpa Bartel was sent to ask for Gladys’ hand. Dad and Mom were married by Min. Clifford Penner on May 20, 1960. Dad loved spending time with Mom, bringing her flowers or going on outings together. Six children were born to them, four daughters and two sons.

In his earlier years, Dad made his living in construction, first with his brothers and later with his sons. In 1967 Dad and Mom purchased a grain and poultry farm near Landmark. Dad loved to garden and could often be found tending his beautiful flowers in the early morning. We enjoyed working together on the farm as a family; harvest, preparing for baby chicks, or working in the yard.

Service was important to Dad. Time spent on the school board, CDR projects, and numerous other boards gave Dad fulfillment. In 1990 Dad and Mom were houseparents in Montreal pouring energy into the French people and language. Later they spent time in Birmingham and shorter stays in New York City and Edmonton. They loved the many friends they made, always leaving a part of their hearts behind.

Dad and Mom loved to travel, bringing along some grandchildren whenever possible. They also enjoyed visiting their children and faithfully supporting them in their mission work and helping them with their projects.

In 2005 they moved off of the farm into a house in the town of Blumenort. With a park in the backyard, it was a perfect place to host family and friends. In May 2025 they moved into the Stonebridge Villa in Steinbach and made a cozy little home there and enjoyed having his sisters nearby.

We want to thank the staff at the manor for the loving care that he received the last few weeks. We are sad to see him go, but we are blessed with many wonderful memories.

His survivors include his wife: Gladys, his children, Valerie and Verle Penner, Stenen, Saskatchewan; Angela and Victor Ensz, Ward, South Dakota; Lorne and Ronna, Steinbach; Jennifer and Jonathan Penner, Iroquois, South Dakota; Debra and Rawlin Wohlgemuth, Greenland; Patrick and Angela, Creston, British Columbia; twenty-seven grandchildren; thirty three great grandchildren; his siblings: Jake, Margaret and Melvin Warkentin, Adeline and Dewayne Warkentin, Larry and Connie, sisters-in law, Louise Bartel and Vivian Bartel, Mom’s siblings: Laverna Unger, Margaret and Gladwin Penner, MaryAnn Warkentin, Melvin Giesbrecht, Esther and Floyd Penner, Wilbert and Glenna Giesbrecht, Carol and Lorne Penner.

He was predeceased by his parents, his parents-in-law, four brothers, one sister, and three brothers-in-law.

A Viewing and Sharing of Memories will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 12, 2026, at Crossings Funeral Care. A short program will begin at 7:15 PM.

The Funeral Service will take place at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Greenland Church of God in Christ Mennonite in Greenland, Manitoba, with burial and reception to follow.

Links will be provided for those wishing to listen to the viewing and funeral service online.

Click here for Listen to Church, funeral service of Alfred Bartel.