Darwin Bartels

Darwin Keith Bartels, 59, passed away suddenly on August 26, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center – West Lakes in West Des Moines. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, August 30 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale, IA. Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Thursday, August 31 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale, IA. Darwin was born October 12th 1957 in Imperial, Nebraska to Reuben and Wilma Bartels. He was baptized November 3rd 1957 and confirmed April 4th 1971 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church rural Wauneta, NE. Darwin grew up in Enders, Nebraska and graduated from Chase County High School. He earned a Business Administration degree and an Associate of Science Data Processing degree from the National College of Business in Rapid City South Dakota, graduating in 1979. While he attended National College he was a member of the DEK fraternity. Darwin later attended Iowa State University on the weekends to get his Masters of Business Administration. In college, Darwin met the love of his life Brenda Nagel, they were married August 24th, 1979. Darwin and Brenda moved to Des Moines where they started their family. In 1981 they gave birth to their daughter Jonalyn and in 1985 their son Tyler. Early in his career he worked for National Cash Register (NCR), and then Townsend Industries. In 1986 Darwin was hired by Reames Foods/Marzetti Frozen Pasta where over the past 31 years he rose to the position of Controller. His favorite position was being "Papa" to his two young granddaughters, who he adored. Growing up in western Nebraska Darwin developed a passion for the outdoors, which he shared with anyone he could, especially his children. Darwin loved to hunt and fish, and lead countless fishing trips to Reel Em Inn Lodge in Canada. He always enjoyed being the outfitter to friends while fishing, which was a convenient excuse to buy more gear! Darwin was a lifelong Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, although he also grew an affinity for Cyclone athletics upon moving to Iowa and attending ISU. Darwin faithfully attended Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale, where he served on the audio-visual team. If you met Darwin, you know that he never met a stranger. Heaven has called home a truly exceptional man. Darwin is survived by his wife, Brenda; daughter, Jonalyn (Dan) Mulcahy; son, Tyler Bartels; sisters, Ruby (George) Nekola, Cherine (Kevin) Parde and Gayle Bartels; granddaughters, Sloane and Claire Mulcahy and father-in-law John Nagel. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Wilma Bartels; infant sister, Rae Jean Bartels; niece, Kelly Nekola; and mother-in-law, Delina (Herrmann) Nagel. A specific memorial has not been identified at this time, but please direct contributions to the family for a future memorial to honor Darwin.