Ronald David Bartsch, Sr. passed away early Tuesday, March 10, 2015. He was born November 5, 1936 in Butte, MT to Stefana (Kitty) and Emer.
Ron graduated from Butte Boys Central High School in 1954 where he achieved Hall of Fame status is Football. He graduated from Montana State College with a Mechanical Engineering degree. In Butte, he was a member of the Exchange Club, President of United Givers, Easter Seals, Knights of Columbus, served on the School Board and was instrumental in introducing Big Brothers to Butte.
Ron married Lou Ann Lazzari on May 17, 1968 celebrating 47 years of marriage. His early working careers included banking in Seattle, safety engineering for Safeco Insurance and Model Cities in Butte. In 1976 Ron moved his family to Helena and worked as a district liquor supervisor for the State of Montana until retirement. In his off time he enjoyed serving as a Reserve Deputy Sherriff. Ron and Lou Ann, together, operated “Lou Ann’s Custom Window Coverings” and “Lou Ann’s Sewing Center and Repair” for over 30 years.
Survived by his wife: Lou Ann, children: Laurie Davis, Ron Bartsch Jr., Lynda Bartsch, Kim Bartsch and respective spouses. He thoroughly enjoyed his 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is additionally survived by his two sister in-laws: Noreen Bartsch and Marie Jolley along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Ron is preceded in death by: his parents; his brother Dan; his son Steve; his nephew Mike, and son-in-law Bob Davis.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., with a reception to follow the service in the Banquet Hall of the Funeral Home. Burial will be held at Forestvale Cemetery after the reception. In Lieu of flowers, Memorials in Ron’s name are suggested to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Helena, 30 W. 6th Ave., Helena, Montana 59601. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ron.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 13, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Friday March 13, 2015
Banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Friday March 13, 2015
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 13, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Friday March 13, 2015
Banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Friday March 13, 2015
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59602
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Dale Fleck says
Ron set the standard for the true family man…he cared deeply for his wonderful wife, Lou Ann and his exceptional children. Ron was an extremely caring individual and loved life to its utmost. It has been my joy to have known him and worked with him. He will be greatly missed by many, many persons. And we all know that he is in a better place where the angels are caring for him. Ron, we all love you dearly. Thanks for sharing your life with us all. And our prayers are with your dear wife, Lou Ann. Dale
P.S. “May the choir of angels escort you into paradise…In paradisum deducant te angeli”
Susan Mergenthaler says
Hard to believe Ron is gone. My thoughts and prayers are with Lou Ann and family. Ron was a person that really liked to have fun at whatever he was doing. He will be missed.
Elsie Clifford & Family says
May warm memories help you through these difficult days ahead. Please know we are truly sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers.
Jim Sheehan says
I worked with Ron at the Acoma in Butte bartending before he moved to Helena. We took turns eating and Ron was starving so he went first. After finishing a full meal he went behind the bar and I went up to eat. After only a few minutes the cocktail waitress came to me and said I needed to watch the bar. I said “where’s Ron?” She told me that two guys played “eat it and beat it” and Ron was chasing them. Rudy Panion was at the bar and said later “well there were two of them and only Ron so I’d better go and see if he needs any help”. They went out the front door at Broadway and Wyoming and chased on foot the two 18 yr.old high school seniors –catching them in front of the Pekin 2 1/2 blocks away!!! To this day I find it absolutely amazing that after just eating a full meal Ron was able to outrun 2 guys 1/2 his age! Kudos to Rudy as well because he was older as well and had “had a few”. I hope this memory brings a smile or two. Jim Sheehan
Doug and Judi Nulle says
We were very saddened to hear of Ron’s passing. Ron was always such a jovial guy and we loved seeing him around Stoney Brook Village; he would always give us a really big “HI!” when he’d see us. Just a really nice guy. He will be missed. Our condolences go out to his wife, Lou Ann, and family.
Dick & Joan Roche says
Dear Lou Ann & family, So sorry for your loss. we are sad that we hadn’t seen you and Ron the past few years. You were both missed last summer at the Boys Central class of 54 reunion(60th). Dick and Ron shared many good times over the years and we enjoyed our get- togethers in Butte when you folks lived here.
May your memories bring you comfort, smiles and warm feelings.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Dick & Joan Roche
Ed Schild says
Dear Lou Ann, So sorry to hear of your loss. Ron was one of the first people I met when I came to MT and one of the best. I remember having diner at your house in Butte when we went to the Law Enforcement Academy. Everyone who knew Ron lost a little bit of his spark when he passed away. I always considered him a friend. May he rest in peace,
Ed Schild, Las Vegas NV
Linnea Ghilardi and Steve Armstrong says
It is with great sadness that we learned of Ron’s passing. Though we knew him and Lou Ann only through their window covering business, we felt as if we had been friends for a lifetime. That was how Ron was…a true friend in the widest sense. He was always a gentleman and always had a smile on his face and was ever-ready to laugh. We enjoyed many times together with him and Lou Ann, and our prayers are with Lou Ann and the children, several of whom we had in our classes at Helena High. God bless you all. Take from dear Ron the best of what life has to offer because that is just what he gave to everyone.
Mary Burton says
Our Prayers are with you.