Lawrence Bartell

TOWN OF GENESEE-Lawrence A. Bartell of the town of Genesee, died Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital at the age of 94. He was born on March 19, 1914, in Whitefish Bay to Daniel and Kathryn (nee: Luy) Bartell. He was an eighth grade graduate of Saylesville School in 1928. He attended WCTC, Spencerian College, Marquette University for real estate appraisal and Aviation Engineer School. On November 28, 1935, he married the former Evelyn Ernst in Milwaukee. She preceded him in death on October 5, 1979. He was a dairy and beef farmer for most of his life and had raised record producing Guernsey herds. His hobbies were aviation, hunting, snowmobiling, playing sheepshead and enjoying good times with friends and family. He was an aircraft pilot since 1949. On March 31, 2003, he was inducted into the EAA Southeastern Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame and became the recipient of the "Outstanding Achievement in Aviation Award" presented to him at the Wisconsin Aviation Conference. Between 1960 and 1970, he introduced more than 300 children to the thrill of aviation by giving free flights in his 1946 Taylorcraft. He has passed on his interest and love of aviation to many others, some of whom have gone on to be pilots themselves. Since 1993 he has been president of OX5 Aviation Pioneers-Wisconsin Wing. He was a member of the Racine County Pilots Breakfast Club, Waukesha Aviation Club, Flying Farmers, Classic Aircraft Assocation, Midwest Antique Airplane Club, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Bonanza Society Club, the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Octagenarian Flying Club Society. He served for many years on the Kettle Moraine School Board and on the Genesee Town Board as a supervisor and chairman. As a member of the Waukesha County Board for 20 years, he served on the Waukesha County Airport Commission and the State Airport Commission and played a key role in the establishment of Waukesha County's first Airport Commission for oversight of the Waukesha County Airport. He was a member of the Delafield-Summit Lions Club and St. Paul's Church in Genesee Depot. He retired as a Lieutenant after 31 years on the Wales, now Wales-Genesee Joint Fire Department. He will be sadly missed by his children Richard (Sue Lund) Bartell of Wauwatosa, Alan (Marge) Bartell of Necedah, Patricia (Dennis) Griswold of Oconomowoc and Sharon (Tom) Leair of Genesee Depot, devoted companion and best friend Dee Cassidy, grandchildren Randy (Cindy), Gregg (Martha), Mike (Linda), Paul, Tracy and Katie Bartell, Jeff (Kathy) Griswold, Lisa (Bob) Condon, Chris (Susan) Griswold, Michelle (Sean) Dalton, Laurie Bartell, Trisha (Curt) Fabian, Mary Douglas, Theresa Treffinger, Alan Bartell, Jr., Ryan and Bradley Bartell, Curt (Lynne), Mark (Patrice) and Craig Leair, Chad Bartell and Justin Grafenauer. He is further survived by 19 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, sisters Lorraine Jensen of Eau Claire and Elizabeth Kuchen of Oconomowoc, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, son Douglas J., brother Ervin Bartell and sister Evelyn Bartell. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 13 from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Hwy 83 & D in Genesee Depot. A Funeral Mass will be held at 6:00 PM. Graveside services will be held on Monday, April 14 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul's Cemetery in Genesee Depot. Please meet at the cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church, or Ten Chimneys, P.O. Box 225, Genesee Depot, WI 53127, or to a charity of the donor's choice. For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave an on-line tribute.