Deloris Catherine Bartelt

Deloris (Krolikowski) Bartelt of Wausau went to her heavenly home on March 15, 2025. She was born on May 20, 1929 to John and Kathryn (Heller) Krolikowski. She married George Bartelt on May 21, 1949, and together they had five children. Deloris devoted her life to her family, and will be lovingly remembered by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Deloris was a wonderful mother. She had many things that she enjoyed throughout her life. In her younger days, the family had a big garden and a large raspberry patch. Much of the garden produce was canned. She also did a lot of sewing, everything from curtains to clothing. She enjoyed spending time at the family cottage (which she owned for 50 years), and when she had grandchildren staying there with her, they always requested her homemade pancakes. She made wonderful pies, with exceptionally flaky crusts, homemade bread, and lots of cakes and cookies!

She loved reading since she was a child, and always made time for reading. In her later years there was always a book, or 10, nearby that she was reading. Deloris enjoyed writing and receiving letters from her many pen pals from around the world. She had long-time pen pals from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and a special friend, Tetsuji from Japan, who she met on two occasions (when he visited her daughter).

At Holy Name of Jesus, Deloris was a member of St. Catherine's Council, the funeral choir, and also sang with the choir at nursing homes. She helped with the church picnic for many years, from providing cakes for the cake walk, to collecting money from picnic meal attendees.

She enjoyed traveling with her children, even conquering her fear of flying. She took a train trip with her sisters-in-law to visit more of dad's family in Oregon. We also took her to many shows both locally and out of town. The Church Basement Ladies series was especially enjoyable, but she saw many great shows. She learned to crochet, and made many hanging kitchen towels, afghans, and baby blankets.

At the age of 90, she received an iPad (that she did not want) as a gift. After getting used to it, she often said, "You know that iPad I did not want?" when expressing how much it meant to her. She called it her lifeline to the world. She was able to keep in contact with family and friends far and near as she enjoyed the world of texting! It helped her not feel lonely, and was also a hearing loss aid, as she could "hear clearly" with written words.

Deloris is survived by her children, David (Mary Lou) Bartelt, Ann (Kevin) Goetsch, Carol (Sam) Corazalla and Cindy (Dave) Schlichting. Her grandchildren, Andrew Bartelt, Bethany (Scott) Marcott, Matthew (Penny) Bartelt, Adam Bartelt, Robert (Jessica) Bartelt, Jennifer (Rodney) Rorex, Kristy Goetsch, Jeffrey Goetsch, Jeremy (Kati) Goetsch, Jason (Cindy) Goetsch, Daniel (Ellen) Jesse, Joel (Emz) Jesse, Ben (Fredelyn) Jesse, Michael (Susie) Schlichting, Marisa Schlichting (Sean Anderson), Brittany (Kelsy) Rogers, step-grandchildren, Michelle Fandrich, Sammy (Dawn) Corazalla, Shawn Corazalla, and granddaughter-in-law Mary Bartelt.

She is also survived by 28 great-grandchildren: Phillip (Lyddia) Marcott, George (Megan) Bartelt , Saxon Bartelt (Alyssa Swanson), Austin Bartelt, David Neil (Jen) Bartelt, Jacob, Christopher, Daniel, Ethan, and David Ray Bartelt, Alicia, Kayla, Jayden, Sara, and Evan Bartelt, Brody and Raegan Rorex, Elise, James and Corrine Goetsch, Amelia and Abigail Goetsch, Blake and Bradley Jesse, Briella Jesse, Ada McRae, Isla and Cal Rogers, and her step-great-grandchildren: Dalton, Payton, and Brayton Fandrich, Martha Manning, Edward Klante, 5 great-great grandchildren, Brantley, Lilah, Emma, Rosie and Benny.

She is also survived by her much-loved sister and brother-in-law, Kathy & Al Autio, her dear friend since childhood, Joyce Roloff, her godchildren, Fred Bartelt, Scott Bornberg, and Helen Szymanski, many nieces and nephews, and her Scheffler "kids".

Deloris was preceded in death by her husband George, her parents, her son, Mark Bartelt, her grandson David Bartelt, and great-granddaughter Kaybee Bartelt. Her brothers, Raymond (Geraldine) Krolikowski, James Krolikowski and Donald Krolikowski. Her in-laws, Fred and Louise (Luedtke) Bartelt, and George's siblings, Florinda (Edward) Laabs, Erna Bartelt, Selma (Conrad) Fenhaus, Frieda (Walter Telschow) (Carl) Marquardt, Harry (Myrtle) Bartelt, Anna Bartelt, Alice Nass, Helen (Steven) Kardack, Marvin (Vivian) Bartelt, Fred (Rita) Bartelt, Louise (Marion) Jenkins. She was also preceded in death by many nieces and nephews, her godchild Susann Spranger, her good friends Marie & Herman Scheffler, and her life-long friend, Dorie Case.

We wish to offer special thanks to the staff at Applegate Reflections. Your kindness is appreciated, and mom felt close to the staff who regularly cared for her. Our appreciation goes out to Interim Healthcare for providing her Hospice care, especially her nurse, John. You were an invaluable resource for us, and your guidance, knowledge, care and concern for mom and her family helped us through this difficult time.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 19 at 2:00 PM at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1104 S 9th Ave, Wausau, WI 54401 with a visitation one hour prior, at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in memory of Deloris.