Shirley Bartling

Shirley Ann Hagge Bartling, 86, of Tama, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 1, 2022 at her home due to natural causes. Her only regret about dying was leaving her family and loved ones. In regards and respect to Shirley’s wishes there will be no funeral service or visitation. Interment will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama.

Shirley was born on July 28, 1935, to Walter and Cleta (Badger) Hagge at the family home south of Tama.

She attended country school Columbia #8 south of Tama thru the sixth grade. Her family then moved into town because of her father’s health. She then attended the Tama Schools.

On July 17, 1953, she was united in marriage to LaVerne E. Bartling at the Elim Lutheran Church in Marshalltown, Iowa. They lived their married life in the Tama-Toledo area, except their first year of marriage which was in Nebraska, where Vernie’s job took him. Shirley was a baptized and confirmed member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama. While her kids were in school, she helped constantly with their school activities. She served as secretary for thirteen years for the South Tama County Music Boosters. Shirley was employed with Tama County as a custodian for the courthouse, jail, and administration building from 1981-2001.

Shirley never missed any of her children’s school activities when they were in school, and now her grandkids. You would always see her coming or going taking them too and from school each day. They will really miss Grandma, one of them was always with her, by her side. They were her whole world. We will also miss Grandma’s bad habit with her dish cloth or towel in her hand, she constantly had one, wiping something off. We would always tease her, telling her we would see that she had one in her hand when she passed, and this we will do.

Survivors include two daughters, Donnetta (Roger) Hinkle of Toledo, and Tamara Bartling (Roger Gardner) of Tama; two sons, Bradley (Shannon) Bartling, and Daniel Bartling all of Tama; one son-in-law, Randy Lavoie of Rochester, MN; seven grandchildren, Cody, Brody, and Coby Bartling of Tama, Megan, Autumn, and Kayla of Tama, and Sue Mandelkow of Echo, MN; two great-granddaughters, Harley Kay and Lexi Mandelkow of Echo, MN; two great-grandsons, Camden Bartling and Kayden Phillips of Tama; one brother, Donald (Carolyn) Hagge of Winfield; two sisters, Janet Meek of Vinton, and Linda Greene of Waterloo; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; as well as several cousins.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband LaVerne on April 30, 2013; a daughter, Sharon Lavoie on June 7, 2007; and a son, David Bartling on December 29, 2015.

A memorial fund will be established.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.