Arlen Jay Bartels

Arlen Jay Bartels, age 97 of Deerwood, passed away on November 5, 2026 at Golden Horizons in Aitkin. He was born on November 12, 1928 in Ellendale, North Dakota to Louis and Wilma (Skaggs) Bartels. He was united in marriage to Ione Joyce on June 22, 1952 in Staples.

Arlen was a retired purchasing agent for Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD with 25 years of service.

Arlen is survived by two sons, Daniel (Kelly) Bartels of Deerwood, David (Shelly) Bartels of Hazel, South Dakota; two daughters, Debra (Tom) Brady of Ironton and DeeAnn Bartels of Deerwood; one brother, Willian (Bonnie) Bartels of Centennial, Co; one sister, Rayma (Jack) Smith of Frederick, SC; nine grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

Preceding Arlen in death are his parents; his 1st wife Ione Joyce in 1994, his 2nd wife, Iyone in 2025 and one sister, Nancy Steltzer.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 13, 2026 at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby. Burial will be at the Scandia Cemetery in Deerwood. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday,