Judy Lee Bartels was a caring wife, mom, sister and grandmother.  She passed from this earth to her heavenly home on Tuesday, July 26th, 2022, at the age of 73 after a courageous and decades long battle with cancer.  She was married to Donald Wayne Bartels for 52 years.  Judy was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church, an accomplished artist in a variety of mediums and never turned down a game of cribbage or gin rummy.

Judy was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, on August 14th, 1948.  Her parents were H. Lee and Thelma Martens (Slagle) and her older brother Jim Martens.  She grew up on the family ranch near Upton, Wyoming, and graduated from Upton High School in 1966.  While at the University of Wyoming, she met Don Bartels while he was working at the Tri Delta sorority.  Don evidently made a good impression, because they were married on February 21st, 1970, and she even survived being kidnapped from her wedding reception by Mike Bartels and her brother Jim.

Judy and Don lived in Denver, Colorado for a brief period while Don was in the Air Force but returned to Upton in 1974.  Judy had three sons, Clayton Baker Bartels, Wesley Michael Bartels, and Joseph Lee Bartels.  She was active in the First United Methodist Church producing church banners, the church calendar, and too many potlucks and gatherings to count.  Judy created many pencil portraits and paintings, and later became an accomplished potter.  Most of her family and friends have numerous art and pottery pieces in their homes.

In 1989 Judy completed her degree at the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education.  She loved her students and teaching and was in special education in the Natrona County School District at Jefferson Elementary and Midwest until she retired in 2007.  Judy enjoyed traveling and had a memorable adventure to Ghana commemorated by the many souvenir pieces that she brought back home.  She loved her seven grandchildren and enjoyed a good oater, especially Louis L'Amour.  Don and Judy were semi-professional bird watchers who particularly enjoyed the transitory tanagers and grosbeaks.

An extremely pleasant and kind person, Judy demonstrated extraordinary toughness in fighting cancer without complaint.  She is sorely missed, but her family and loved ones will honor her legacy by living life fully and loving unconditionally.  Judy is survived by her husband, Don; children Clay (Mandy) Bartels, Wes Bartels, and Joe Bartels; grandchildren Sadie, Seth, Mattie, Landon, Ashton, Preston, and Donovan Bartels; brother Jim (Kathy) Martens; and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews.  Judy was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 13 at 11:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Upton, Wyoming.

"To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away"