Obituaries 13 December 2017

Michael John Bartz dies at 86

Michael John Bartz, age 86, of New Hampton, passed away peacefully on Monday Dec. 11, 2017 in his life-long home, surrounded by his family and friends.Friends may greet the family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a time of remembrance and sharing at 6:30 p.m.  Online condolences for Michael's family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com   Anyone is welcome to make a memorial donation to the S.N.A.P. Program of New Hampton at P.O. Box 150, New Hampton, Iowa 50659Michael John Bartz was born on Dec. 2, 1931, he lived his entire life in the same cozy brick house east of New Hampton. He graduated from New Hampton High in 1949, began farming and cared for his mother and father until they passed away.On October 6, 1968, he took a break from filling silo to marry Alice Jean Fliger, and was able to enjoy 49 years of marriage to Alice. They had three children; Mary (Steve) Goebel of New Hampton, Jim (Janet) Bartz of Des Moines, and Caroline (Troy) Peterson of Bondurant. Michael and Alice were rewarded with seven grandchildren; Abigail Bartz, Autumn and Adam Goebel, Parker, Carver, and Kaitlyn Bartz, and Truman Peterson.Along with his family, Michael loved the animals he raised on his farm, as well as the many dogs and the many, many cats he cared for over the years. He was an avid fox and pheasant hunter through most of his life, had a keen interest in history, and read several books a week, particularly enjoying tales of the Wild West. Michael was not only a farmer and father; he was very proud of his work as a county correspondent for the Waterloo Courier and his service on the New Hampton school board.Michael will be remembered by his family, neighbors, and friends for his generosity, sense of humor, intelligence and for having a very kind heart.Michael is also survived by his sister, Mary Kautzer of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc., as well as many nieces and nephews whom he loved like his own children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Minnie (Johnston) Bartz, his brother, Harold, and his sister, Bernice Burr.

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