Karla (Blaylock) Bartel, 77 years, 11 months, of Sun City, Ariz. died Dec. 04, 2015.
She was born Jan. 1, 1938 in Jefferson, moved to Torrington, Wyo. in 1950 and graduated in 1956 from Torrington High School. Karla attended University of Wyoming on scholarship and was a member of Chi Omega. She met her husband, Harvey, in Denver and they were married six months later in the Torrington Presbyterian Church, May 18, 1958. Harvey died May 29, 2014, shortly after their 56th anniversary.
Karla and Harv moved to Minatare, Neb. where they farmed. In 1963, they moved southwest of Morrill, Neb., remaining there until 1985. Both of their children started and graduated from Morrill schools. After a few years in Colorado Springs, Colo. and Santa Clarita, Calif., they moved to Sun City, Ariz. Karla retired from the City of Youngtown in 2003.
She was involved in various activities, both her own and those of her husband, children and granddaughters: garden and card clubs, bowling teams, golf, Cub Scouts, Job’s Daughters, school activities, and farming, to name a few. After retiring, she became an active member of the West Valley Genealogical Society serving as a board member in various positions including VP, President, and Past President.
Karla was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. People said “Karla never met a stranger.” Her kindness, generosity, strength and vibrancy will be greatly missed. She kept the entire family in touch by passing along what she talked about with one to others. This was, in part, due to her passion for family history. Her life-long quest centered on learning about her family’s ancestors which she shared it with others. Two of her “claims to fame” are being a 1st cousin, seven times removed of Daniel Boone and 5th cousin, four times removed of President Theodore Roosevelt!
She is survived by son, Gary of Billings, Mont.; daughter, Lori (Tim) Clement and granddaughter, Senna, Phoenix, Ariz.; sister, Karen (Larry) Debus, nephews, Brian and Brent Debus, niece, Suzanne (Roger) Bedient and families all of Alliance, Neb.; sister, Paula (Robert) Foster, Sun City, Ariz.; Clement step-granddaughters, Kirsi (Patrick) Meador, Lafayette, La.; Kaili Young Pivonka, Big Springs, TX; step-great grandchildren, Saige Meador, Tristan Young and Cody Young.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Phyllis and Karl Blaylock; husband, Harvey; brother, Phillip; grand aunt & uncle, Bonita and Gaylord Miller; nephew, David Warman; and step-great grandson, Thomas Young. On Jan. 14, 2016, her step-granddaughter, Kaili Pivonka passed away and was buried in Conroe, TX.
We ask that in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made to the West Valley Genealogical Society (WVGS) because of her lifelong passion for family history and her years of service with the Society. Donations will be used to purchase books that would have been of interest to Karla and may be personalized as a gift from the donor in remembrance. Cards and/or donations should be sent to Family of Karla Bartel, 10421 W. Floriade Dr., Sun City, AZ 85351.
Please join us for a memorial service and reception celebrating her life at First United Methodist Church, Morrill, Neb. on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. with light refreshments in the church basement following the service.