Steven R. “Herm” Bartelt was born November 6, 1948 in Monroe, WI to Donald and Neva (Krebs) Bartelt.  He died on August 13, 2023 at home.   He attended Winslow Grade School, graduated from Lena-Winslow High School, and attended Highland Community College.  He began farming at his grandparents farm in 1966, milking cows, raising hogs and planting crops.   On June 29, 1974, he and Christine Meyers were married in Lena.   In 1983, Scot Raymer began working at their dairy farm and became an integral part of the farming operation, fishing buddy and grew to be a “part of the family”.  Due to declining health the dairy herd was dispersed in 2017 and a beef herd was started and continues today.  While actively farming he earned awards from DHIA for “Super Cow” and from DeKalb seed corn company for the 200+ Club. He was proud of his farming career and was a good steward of the land.

In his younger life, Herm was a member of the Winslow Volunteer Fire Department, served as Winslow Township Clerk, was chair of the Winslow River Days Committee and emcee of River Days for many years.  He was also a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, having joined the Winslow lodge and most recently belonging to the Orangeville lodge.   In recent years he was content to drive around the countryside in the truck with Scot and the dogs (Duke and Annie) checking out the crops and the beef herd, and giving the dogs lots of treats!   He was a good historian of Winslow and had drafted a book with lots of old sayings and sage advice.

He referred to himself as the “best provider you’ll ever have” as he was always bringing fruits, vegetables, wild mushrooms, or berries home to be processed and put in the freezer.  There was always plenty of beef, pork and chicken in the freezer as well.   No one ever left this farm hungry!

He is survived by Christine, Scot, dogs – Duke and Annie and Honey.  He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Anna Meyers and sisters-in-law, Pauline (Paul) Cyborski, Lisa (Bart) Conrad, and brother-in-law, Mark (Lori) Meyers, “honorary sisters” Jennifer (Jason) Kempel and Kim Leamon.   Also surviving are many special nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews and many special friends too numerous to mention. Herm was loved and will be missed by all.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Don and Neva, father-in-law Harold “Spud” Meyers,  sister-in-law Linda Leamon and brother-in-law “Mike” Meyers.

Per his wishes, a public graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at Rock Lily Cemetery in Winslow, IL.

 Pastor Ernie Stabenow will be officiating the service.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Malcolm DeCamp at UW Health, Dr. Michael McFadden and staff and FHN Hospital staff, SSM Health Monroe hospital staff and Lena Living Center staff for the loving care given to Herm over the past weeks.

A memorial has been established in his name.