Monday, January 9, 2023 ~ 11:00 a.m.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Sunday, January 8, 2023 ~ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Svoboda Funeral Home ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Bethlehem Lutheran Church ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Donald Bartek, 84, of Wahoo, NE, passed away on January 4, 2023 at his home in Wahoo, NE surrounded by his wife and children.
Donald (Don) was born to Julius and Judith (Moline) Bartek on March 2, 1938 in Omaha, NE. Don grew up in Weston, NE where he graduated from Weston High School in 1956. Don received an Associate’s Degree from Luther College, Wahoo, NE in 1958 where he was a member of the football and basketball teams. Don was named to the Junior College All American football team his sophomore year.
Don married Barbara Johnson of Holdrege, NE, whom he met at Luther, on August 17, 1958 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Wahoo, NE. The couple moved to Lindsborg, KS where Don earned his Bachelor’s Degree in education from Bethany College in 1960.
Don and Barb returned to Weston, NE where Don began a long and successful career as a teacher and coach at Weston High School. Don continued his career teaching and coaching at Osceola Public Schools 1962-1969, Minden Public Schools 1969-1979 and Waverly District 145 1979-1984. Don earned a Master’s Degree in school administration from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Don was hired by the Scribner Public Schools as the K-12 principal for the 1984 school year and served as principal until his retirement in 2000.
Don is survived by his wife Barbara (Johnson) Bartek and four children, Steve Bartek, Lincoln, NE, Doug Bartek (Lori), Hooper, NE, Amy Masiongale (Jim), Raymore, MO, Joe Bartek (Rachel), Omaha, NE. Six granddaughters, Molly Stieren (Noah), Louisville, NE, Hannah Masiongale-Shook (Rob), Thomsen, GA, Chloe Bartek (Kirk Martin), Ft. Riley, KS, Olivia, Kacy and Ally Bartek, Omaha, NE. Great Grandchildren, Addison and Alex Stieren, Louisville, NE.
Through the years Don was an avid hunter and fisherman never missing a deer, pheasant, coyote, squirrel, racoon, frog, mushroom or whatever season it was. Don was also the great transformer of one man’s junk into another man’s treasure. Don took great pride in finding broken down equipment, appliances, machinery, sporting equipment, etc and making it as good as “new”.
Coach Bartek was a very influential person in my life. I loved having him as a coach. He made basketball fun and helped to grow my passion for it. He always made me feel important. He was a great man with a great family. Thanks for all you did for me Coach. Rest in Peace!
Kevin Scheef
I am so deeply saddened to learn of Don’s death. May God richly bless Don with his due rewards in Heaven. May he rest in peace in God’s Heavenly Kingdom. May the gentle breeze of compassion, comfort and understanding blow in the direction of the Bartek family. May God make His conquering presence known to all of you and bless you with strength to help you through this difficult time of loss and grief. Memories are timeless treasures of the heart and may your treasured memories of Don soften the sadness you all feel and warm your hearts forever. I feel deeply privileged to call Don “friend” and how his gentle and happy spirit lightened my load during our friendship. Now I will sit back, close my eyes and pull up many wonderful memories of time spent with My Friend and enjoy those times once again in my mind. Thank you, Don, for a beautiful friendship. God bless all of you… Steve, Doug, Amy, Joe and particularly you, Barbie, my Dear Friend. Sending all of you my love and hugs.
I have so many memories of the time when he was HS principal at Scribner. He always carried a crossword puzzle at lunchtime that he was trying to complete. He also shared his bountiful tomatoes from his garden in the summer.
Surrounding all of the family in many hugs and prayers now and in the days to come. God Bless!❣️🙏🏻
We are so sorry to hear of Uncle Don’s passing. I have so many fond memories of playing at the river, going to various gyms to play when we were all together, and eating all the wonderful vegetables from his great garden. He loved life and love all of you and family! I know that passing is such a dance of sorrow and joy. Know that Larry and I are praying for you all and sending our love your way!
Mr. Bartek was the principal at my high-school for many years. After he retired and moved to Wahoo, I would run into him occasionally at the softball fields when my girls were playing. He always remembered me, and had time to sit and chat. I am sorry to hear of his passing. Sending prayers to his family and friends.
I will miss my brother-in-law greatly. A lot of us gravitated to his coaching skills, but I also admired his teaching skills. On a stop in Waverly, on the way to a Husker football game, gathered at the table, Don was concerned about a young girl. He was deeply concerned he wasn’t helping her enough. Found out later he had made a contract with her and things started going smoother. Love and prayers to all his family.
I have so many cherished memories of Mr. Bartek and my grandma Velda Dames at Scribner Snyder. He was a very special person to me growing up! I remember him lcalling my principal in Lexington when girls were being mean to me growing up because they knew each other and he wanted to make sure I was taken care of!! He will always hold a special place in my heart!! Condolences from myself and my grandma Velda Dames.
MR Bartek was a wonderful teacher for me during my time at Waverly. May you find peace in your memories.
You know how much I appreciate your whole family. There are so many stories about coach and his passion. No one worked harder as both a teacher and a coach. Thanks so much for sharing your Dad and husband. Our prayers are with you.
Condolences to the family , I remember coach Bartek using me as a example shooting free throws in practice,Oh and running a lot of lines in the gym. RIP coach
Don was great friend and mentor to us the years Jan and I taught at Scribner-Snyder. He will be greatly remembered.
Don and Barb were friends at Luther College in Wahoo, NE.from 1956 to 1958. We played sports and took classed together and had many good times. To the family, I am sorry to hear of the passing of Don–my condolences. God Bless
Sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was a great guy, and I have many good memories. He had a passion for coaching and it was fun being around him. God bless and take care.
Dearest Bartek family, we are so sorry to hear about the passing of Don!!!! He was a wonderful man, husband, father and grandfather!!! He will definitely be missed!!! We are honored to be with him and see him at Hannah and Rob’s”wedding!!! We love you all and our prayers and thoughts are with you!!! We know you have many cherished memories of this fine and gentle man!!!
Don and I could talk for hours about our Luther College days, his connections with people in the Nebraska sports and especially “his” students. Down deep, Don was very strong man of faith and he truly loved the Lord.
So many things come to mind. Whenever we were in Don’s presence, there was never a lack of things to do. Over the years we learned so much from Don. Whether we were tubing down the Elkhorn or corralling (and naming)the crow population of Big Sky, we were always laughing.
We have made a donation in Don’s memory to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wahoo.
Jim and Melanie Charles
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Doug. Many people loved your father and by all accounts he was a great man. I can tell that he molded the man that you are today and will live on in you and your family.
To the family of Don, We are so sorry for your loss. He will be missed by many. He used to come to our green house, Rooster Lake, in the spring to buy plants for his big garden. We had many conversations about which tomatoes were the best. Even after he moved to Wahoo we would see him occasionally and have to talk gardening. Let you memories bring you smiles and God grant you peace.
I am very sorry to hear of Coach’s passing. Over the years, you realize the importance of teaching and coaching and the impact it has on you. I have fond memories of practices and games and being coached by Don. I am grateful for that relationship and how it helped me in my education and development. You have my deepest sympathies and condolences.
Stan Steffen
Waverly, Class of 1982