Donna Lee Bartelt (Hewitt) went home to be with the Lord and rejoice with her heavenly family. She was 78 years old .
Donna was the first of 5 children born to Charles and Betty Hewitt on October 10,1941 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Altoona High School in 1959.
Donna worked as a beautician, an executive Assistant , and several jobs in the health care field. During her time in Philadelphia working as a telephone operator, Donna attended a weekly dance at the YMCA where she met the love of her life, Edward R. Bartelt.
The couple married in Portsmouth, Virginia on January 15, 1962 . They continued on their extraordinary and adventurous journey through life together, traveling the country while raising 3 children.
In 1978 Donna became a member of Beta Sigma Phi in Missoula Mt, where she made several lifelong friends. She remained active in the sorority for 22 yrs. Donna and her husband retired to Las Vegas, where she made even more lifelong friends, and was a member of the Red Hat Society , whose motto is ,
“When I am old, I shall wear purple”… and she did just that. She loved being part of these organizations that were so dedicated to giving back to their communities.
Donna truly had a life well lived and she lived it to it’s fullest. She traveled , she danced, she sang, she enjoyed many plays, Vegas shows and concerts with friends, she was the life of the party, always with a smile on her face and a joke on her lips. She laughed endlessly and loved deeply. Some of Donna’s favorite things include poodles and roosters, the sun, the beach, camping anywhere, s’mores, boogyboarding, sightseeing, and being in the company of friends and family. Her most favorite thing of all was being “Grandma Donna”.
Her light shone the brightest when she was with her babies. Donna’s children and grandchildren were the joy of her life. The legacy of Donna’s kind spirit, passion for adventure, creativity, and zest for life, will live on through them.
Donna was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, she will be dearly missed by all.
She is survived by her husband of 58 yrs, MSGT
Edward R. Bartelt USMC of Helena, Mt. 3 children, Gregory Robert of McLeod, Mt. , Jennifer Lynn of Helena,Mt. , and Scott Allen (Melissa) of Big Timber,Mt., 3
grandchildren, Brady and Brekyn Bartelt, and Ethan Peterson, a sister, Debbie Barrett (Gary) of Altoona, Pa., nephews Martin Weyant and Christopher Barrett, niece Danielle Haluska (Tommy), 3 great nephews, Alex and Evan Barrett and Samuel Haluska, all from Pennsylvania, and a number of other loving relatives and close friends.
The family wishes to thank those who took care of Donna at Big Sky Care Center in Helena before her passing.
As per Donna’s request there will be no service.
Those that desire may make a donation in Donna’s name to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Donna.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Michael Lawson says
Hi Ed,
My condolences, for sure. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My prayers are also with you concerning your health issues.
Semper Fi, Marine
Sgt Mike Lawson
DAV Driver -Butte
Mary Gegenhuber says
I am so sorry Jennifer. I know how devoted you were to your Mom. I enjoyed my days with you Donna at Big Sky.
Gary Cole says
My condolences to Ed and Donnas family. Donna and I worked at Lowestfare.com
In Las Vegas together. We were friends and traveled to London together with her son and several friends during 9.11. She was a great person. 💔