Brian Edward Bartemes

Brian Edward Bartemes was born on January 28th, 1966 in the height of a snowstorm at the base of Big Tyler Mountain near Charleston, West Virginia to David and Cora Bartemes. He died on February 18th, 2024.

He grew up in Charleston, WV and Pittsburgh, PA, moving to Urbandale in 1977 with his parents and two older brothers, Kevin and Paul. Brian attended Dowling Catholic High School where he met his wife, Maria Yorro, while singing in the choir. He graduated in 1984. Brian was deeply involved with the University of Northern Iowa Tae Kwon Do Club, where he became the first student to earn the position of Head Instructor after earning a third-degree black belt. He married the love of his life, Maria, on October 20, 1990. They had four extremely cool kids, probably the best people on Earth, for whom he was proud to be just “the Dad”.

Brian worked most of his life as a social worker passionately working for individuals experiencing homelessness. A staunch supporter of housing as a human right, he worked for many years advocating for individuals who might not be able to advocate for themselves. Brian was an avid home cook and expressed his love for his family and friends with a plate full of Korean short ribs, whole smoked salmon, and roasted veggies. He especially loved to cook Filipino recipes gleaned over many years from Maria’s parents, Antonio and Rosa.

Brian was preceded in death by his father, David Walter Bartemes, and survived by his loving wife Maria, four children, Theodore (Mary), Elena, Cecelia (Drew), and Joshua, his favorite grandkid James, his mother Cora, brothers Kevin and Paul (Kathy), as well as many nieces and nephews. Brian will be greatly missed by all his friends and family.

Services will be at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Friday, February 23, 2024 with a visitation beginning at 10am, followed by Mass at 11am. The family will also welcome all to a luncheon immediately following the funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Central Iowa Shelter and Services or Primary Healthcare Homeless Support Services.