Hinreka H. Bartels, age 98, of Sac City, Iowa, formerly of Lytton, passed away on Monday, March 31, 2008, at Park View Care Center in Sac City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 5th at Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton with Rev. Wayne Pfannkuch officiating. Burial will be at St. John Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Friday at the funeral home in Sac City.

The story of Easter is a story of God’s wonderful window of divine surprise. He created another surprise for Katie (Fisher) and Karl Hameister of Sac County when on Easter Sunday, April 11, 1909 Hinreka Henrietta Willamina Hameister was born. She had to wait a long 62 years for her birthday to be on Easter Sunday again. Hinreka was baptized on May 9, 1909, at Emanuel Church south of Lytton where she was also confirmed on February 17, 1924. In the years to follow a brother Gustav, sister Dorothea (Nuehring), brother Gerhardt and sister Edna (Scherle) joined Hinreka.

She attended country school in the spring of 1915. The school was one-mile west and ½ mile south of Lytton. The family lived 1¾ miles from the school. It was quite a way for a 6-year-old to walk, but Hinreka was a determined girl. When the weather was bad her father took her to school sometimes with horses pulling a bobsled or in a cutter. They often had swift rides because the ponies were so frisky. She knew very little English when she went to school because German was the language spoken in her home. It made school difficult, but again her determination helped her through. Even in later years she was able to speak both languages quite well.

She attended confirmation on a daily basis just as going to public school. She learned the catechism and more. This provided her a firm foundation in her strong faith in God. Several years later she attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where she received a degree in business. Again a sign of her strength and determination during a time when few people, let alone a woman, ever had the opportunity to even attend higher education.

Hinreka attended Luther League at Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton where she met a wonderful man, Elmer C. Bartels, who later became her husband on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1936. They lived on a farm two miles north and two miles east of Lytton. This union was blessed with three children: a son Earl was born on December 27, 1937, another Christmas surprise occurred a year later on December 24, 1938, when Glen joined the family. Hinreka found life extremely busy with two active young children. While Elmer did the farming, Hinreka filled her days with baking and cleaning. She was well known for her bread baking talents. Then the best surprise of all, on April 21, 1948, when Ruth was born. Hinreka was most delighted when her third child was a girl; to provide a nice change of pace from being the only woman in a house filled with men.

Hinreka and Elmer moved from the farm into Lytton in 1971. Elmer died on July 20, 1975. They were happily married for 39 blessed years. Hinreka lived in that house until 2001 when she moved to a care center in Sac City. Her favorite pastime included the craft of knitting on plastic canvas. She also spent much time diligently studying the Bible. She loved visiting with her family and friends, and spending time reading to her great grandchildren.

Hinreka was a loving wife and devoted mother who found much joy in keeping a warm and comfortable home for her family. She loved the Lord and was happy to serve Him in many ways, providing flowers to decorate the Alter, being on the prayer chain, member of the Dorcas Circle, and Sunday school teacher. She was a lifetime member of Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church and quite possibly the oldest living member. Her family, however, was always most important in her life and she carried them in her heart. She treasured the visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She always had a friendly smile and greeting and would say, “Now don’t I know you?” and would proceed with a story of recognition. Her kind and gentle ways will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her children: Earl Bartels and wife Nelda of Lytton; Glen Bartels of Alta; and Ruth Bartels of Des Moines; six grandchildren: Randy Bartels of Rockwell City, Brenda Lawson of Garland, TX, Barbara (Doug) Riley of Lytton, Teresa (Kurt) VanHulzen of Sac City, Douglas Bartels, and Julie (Ryan) Wheelock of Sac City; 14 great-grandchildren: Seth and Shane Bartels, Brittany, Bailey, Taylor, and Alexa Lawson, Colten, Tyler, and Kortney Riley, Andrew, Sarah, and Joshua VanHulzen, and Elijah and Adlen Wheelock. Other survivors include her brother Gerhardt Hameister and sister Edna Scherle both of Lytton; and many extended family members.

Hinreka was preceded in death by her parents; husband Elmer; grandson Brian Bartels in infancy; two brothers: one in infancy and Gustav Hameister and sister-in-law Minnie Hameister; sister-in-law Berneice Hameister; sister Dorothea and brother-in-law Clarence Nuehring; and brother-in-law Pastor Fred Scherle.