Dale Robert Bartelt, 75, of Mediapolis died Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Dale was born Dec. 12, 1947, in Algona, and was the fifth of six sons born to Harry and Marie (Brandt) Bartelt. They lived on a farm north of Titonka. He grew up learning the value of hard work alongside his father and brothers and established his lifelong love of farming.
Dale graduated from Titonka High School with the class of 1966. He attended college at Iowa State University and graduated in 1970 with a major in Ag Business. Dale was united in marriage to Julie Grove on October 9, 1971, at First Baptist Church in Corydon. They welcomed two children into their family, Shannon Leigh and Robert Boyd.
Dale's first job was as a field representative for Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. He came to love the insurance business over the next 47 years of his career. He and Julie moved to Mediapolis, in 1976 where Dale managed DMC Mutual and owned and operated Eland Agency for 35 years. Dale served on the board of directors for Grinnell Mutual for 33 years, serving as board president his last 6 years. He was honored for his years of leadership by the naming of the Bartelt Conference and Education Center at Grinell Mutual in 2017.
Dale had a strong Christian faith and was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Burlington. He and Julie helped care for the grounds and gardens as part of the landscape crew.
Dale never lost his love of the farm and acquired a farm property on Highway 61 which he turned into a showplace. He restored the two old barns on the property and the oldest, an 1870s bank barn, was given a barn of distinction award by the Iowa Barn Foundation and was included in their All state barn tours. He and Julie served as the Des Moines County representatives for the IBF. His final wish was to have a covered bridge built over Knotty Creek, which runs through the farm, and it was completed in May 2023.
Dale had many interests including collecting antiques and vintage farm toys and implements. He was active in various community organizations including the Planning and Zoning Board, Mediapolis Athletic Boosters, and the Lions Club. Dale's greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his six grandchildren.
Dale and Julie traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe. They made a goal to visit all 424 parks and monuments in the National Park System. They proudly displayed a map marked with the locations of the 220 that they were able to visit together.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Julie; daughter and son-in-law Shannon Bartelt-Hunt and George Hunt of Omaha; son and daughter-in-law Robert and Kate Bartelt of Cedar Falls; grandchildren Samuel Hunt, Olivia Bartelt, Alden Hunt, Daniel Bartelt, Audrey Bartelt, and Abigail Bartelt; brothers Wayne (Eljean) Bartelt of Cedar Falls, Lloyd (Verla) Bartelt of Woden, Glenn Bartelt of Maquoketa; brothers-in-law Lad (Patty) Grove of Ames and Ted Grove (Shanni Dimmit) of Clatskanie, Ore. as well as a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Merlin and Keith, a sister who died at birth, and sisters-in-law Alice, Darlene, and Peggy Bartelt.
Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division St.
The celebration of life for Mr. Bartelt will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at Messiah Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in Messiah Lutheran Church following the burial.
Starting in 1981, Dale battled five different types of cancer throughout his lifetime. He defeated them all until a final cancer diagnosis came in late 2022. In an effort to help researchers at the University of Iowa Hospitals, The Bartelts have established the Dale and Julie Bartelt Cancer Research Fund through the Iowa Center for Advancement. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be directed to support cancer research at the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to UI Center for Advancement, One West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242 in memory of Dale Bartelt or make a gift online at givetoiowa.org/cancer.