Margie Grace Bartels, the youngest of five children born to Albert J. and Luella (Stamm) Hansen, was born on April 11, 1924, at the family home in Yuma County, Colorado. She was called to her eternal home by her Savior on Oct. 15, 2017, after 93 years of God’s grace.
    She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, rural Wauneta, on Jan. 30, 1951. She was an active member of St. Paul’s for the remainder of her life.
    Margie attended elementary school in rural Dundy County and graduated from Benkelman High School in 1941. After graduation she attended McCook Junior College where she completed teachers’ training. She taught in Dundy County one-room schools for three years, including Sunny Slope-Dist. 64, and then three years in lower elementary grades at Max, Neb., where she also served as principal for two years.
    She was united in marriage to Gustav H. Bartels on June 8, 1947, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. They made their home northwest of Stratton farming for 13 years prior to purchasing a farm south of Wauneta in 1961. God blessed this union with three children, Kathleen, Glenda and Stuart. They were married 61 years. Margie moved to the Heights in Imperial in 2014.
    Margie was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Ladies Aid, Young Married Couples Club and the choir at St. Paul’s. She was a Sunday School teacher for many years as well. She was also a 4-H club leader.  
    Margie enjoyed music and playing the piano, sewing, crocheting, counted cross-stitch, quilting, baking and keeping family photo albums.  She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. She helped with the farm work as needed, driving tractors, trucks and grain cart. The harvest crews enjoyed the hot meals she delivered to the fields.
    She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Gustav; brothers Thomas Hansen and wife Mabel; Marvin Hansen and wife Velma; Eugene Hansen and wife Mabel; sister Velma Case and husband Wilbur; and grandson Garrett Wicke.
    Margie leaves to rejoice in her salvation her children Kathleen Wicke and husband Lloyd of Centennial, Colo., Glenda Bartels of Denver, Colo., and son Stuart Bartels and wife Kathleen of Wauneta, Neb.; four grandchildren, Kristine Orton of Centennial, Colo.; Jon Wicke of Denver, Colo.; Joe Bartels and wife Katie of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Chris Bartels and wife Kaylee of Imperial, Neb.; two great-grandchildren, Timothy Orton and Teryn Orton; many nieces and nephews and friends.
    Services will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, rural Wauneta, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at 10:30 a.m MT with Pastor Keith Wellman officiating. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, rural Wauneta, Neb.
    Memorials suggested to Mercy Meals of Southwest Nebraska or KNGN Radio.