Virginia J. “Ginny” Bartell

Virginia J. “Ginny” Bartell, 98, died Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac. She was born in New London, Wis., on March 8, 1925, to William and Esther (Sawall) Thern.

Ginny moved to Fond du Lac with her family in 1936. She was a graduate of Winnebago Lutheran Academy. Following her marriage in 1943, Ginny moved to St. Cloud where she lived for over 70 years. She retired from Kettle Moraine Correctional Institute in 1988, after serving 25 years as a correctional officer. Ginny enjoyed gardening her whole life, becoming a Master Gardener in 1988 and was a participant in the St. Agnes Garden Walk.

Survivors include four children, Jerrall L. (Frances) Bartell of Battle Creek, Mich., Kathleen L. Krentz of Ripon, Thomas L. (Jacque) Bartell of Manteno, Ill., and Jon L. Bartell of Plymouth; eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Nydia Thern. She was preceded in death by her parents; Nathan Bartell; brother, Donald Thern; half-brother, Raemond Merrill; a son, David Bartell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ginny’s name may be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran School and/or Winnebago Lutheran Academy.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 10, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, W6693 County Road W, in Mt. Calvary. The memorial service will be held at church, beginning at 11:00 AM with Pastor Ian Headrick officiating. Burial in Lion’s Forest Home Cemetery, St. Cloud, will follow the service. Cremation has taken place.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the St. Francis Home as well as that of SSM Health at Home Hospice for the care and compassion they gave Ginny.