Helen BARTELL

LAPRAIRIE, Ill. -- Helen Kathryn Bartell, 94, of LaPrairie, died at 6:15 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 22, 2011) in the Golden Good Shepherd Home in Golden.

Helen Kathryn Dutton was born on May 13, 1916, in the family home east of LaPrairie in Adams County, a daughter of John Joseph and Martha Estelle "Stella" Alexander Dutton.

She began her education at Washington No. 11 "Hog Jaw" Elementary School, attended high school in LaPrairie and studied education at Western Illinois State Teacher's College in Macomb. Her first year of teaching was in the Brooklyn, Ill., elementary school.

Helen studied music with Cornelia Wysong and Lula Felt of the Quincy Conservatory of Music. She was church pianist and often accompanied soloists for musical functions at local schools and other activities.

Helen was an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn, LaPrairie and Augusta. She also served as substitute teacher at times in other Adams County elementary schools. She was a member of the Elm Grove Methodist Church. She married Andrew Menard Bartell on Feb. 25, 1939, in Palmyra, Mo.

Helen joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in Golden after marriage, serving on several church committees. She was also a member of various organizations including the National Education Association, Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Golden Good Shepherd Home Auxiliary, Northeast Home Bureau and several school committees. Helen loved her family and friends, and enjoyed teaching, learning, e-mail and the Internet, music, gardening and bird watching.

Since marriage, the couple has lived on Andrew's grandfather Aden's farm east of LaPrairie. They have had the privilege of celebrating their 25th, 50th, 60th, 65th and 70th anniversaries with family, friends and neighbors.

Survivors include her husband, Andrew Menard Bartell of La Prairie; three daughters, Marilyn Jean Bartell and her friend, Norman Bailey, of Sacramento, Calif., Ruth Ann Royalty and her husband, Dennis, of Carthage, and Mary Jo Huber and her husband, Sid, of Auburn; grandchildren, including Sherry Roberts and her daughter, Cassandra, of Wauconda, Marsha Roberts of Bowen, Sarah Royalty Tredo and her husband, Dave, of Vernon Hills, and Kevin Royalty and his wife, Emily, and their sons, Brandon and Duncan, of Fitchburg, Wis.; and several nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Mabel Dutton and Blanche Clark; brothers, Lawrence and John Jr.; and all her aunts, uncles and some cousins.

SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Hunter Funeral Home, Golden, with the Rev. Linda Murray conducting. Burial will be in Immanuel Cemetery in Golden.

VISITATION: 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Hunter Funeral Home in Golden.

MEMORIALS: Elm Grove Methodist Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Golden Good Shepherd Home or Blessing Foundation for Hospice.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hunter Funeral Home, Golden.

WEBSITE: www.Hunterfh.com.

Condolences may be expresssed online at www.whig.com.

---