1923-2003
Henry Bartel passed away on March 5, 2003 at Mission Memorial Hospital. He was born September 8, 1923 in Grunau, West Prussia. Two years later, his mother passed away and in 1928 his father married a widow with three children. Together they had five more children.
In 1942 Henry joined the German army. He was a top marksman and trained other soldiers. During his service he was captured by Russians, endured hard labour, was hospitalized and sent to Germany to a Russian camp. He escaped and fled to Berlin. Eventually he was reunited with his family. He later married Waldtraut Achenbach. In 1952 with three children, they immigrated to Canada and lived in Lethbridge, Coaldale, and Calgary, where Henry worked in construction. In Canada they were blessed with three more children.
In 1960 Henry and Waldtraut accepted the Lord through the Janz Team Ministry.
In 1963 they moved to a hobby farm in Rosedale. They attended Eden Mennonite Church and Henry continued in Construction.
In 1971 Waldtraut was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery. In 1978 they moved back to Calgary. Waldtraut passed away on October 8, 1979 when her cancer returned. On June 27, 1980, Henry married Heidi Bruchmann. In 1978 they moved to Mission. In 1997 Henry suffered a stroke and his health deteriorated until his death.
Henry had a firm faith in God and he prayed for his family everyday.
Henry is survived by his wife Heidi; six children, Peter (Evelyn), Hanna (John) Neudorf, Harald (Leeanne), Gertie (Rudy) Verwey, Vic (Marianne), and Rosie (Ron) Goertzen; 19 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many relatives.
Henry was a kind, hardworking man and will be remembered with love.