Bruce Philip Bartels

Bruce P. Bartels, age 79 of Eau Claire, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in Eau Claire. Bruce was born on October 8, 1946 in Shell Lake, WI, to the late Philip and Virginia (Mortensen) Bartels.

Shortly after graduating from Shell Lake High School, he was drafted into the US Army and stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged. After being discharged, he returned to Shell Lake to help on the family farm and got married. Thru this marriage, he had one child, Pete. He later married Cythnia Huebner and they had one child, Heather. Cynthia passed in 2019

Bruce loved deer hunting on the family farm, watching the Brewers and Packers on his antennae tv. Many times, you would find him sitting outside with a cup of coffee watching the birds and squirrels.

He is survived by his children Pete (Jennifer) Bartels and Heather (Nate) Waterhouse; grandchildren: Kaylee and Natalie Waterhouse and Ethan Bartels, Emma (Jaime) Gonzalez Garcia and Cooper Bartels; brother Gary (Barb); sisters: Sharrie (Dennis) Hulleman and Pam (Mark) Williams; mother-in-law Rita Huebner; sister-in-law Sandra (Jo) Miller; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are wife Cynthia and his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Friday, March 20, at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona with Pastor Karl Hanson officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Graveside service with full military honors will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, Eau Claire.

Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.stokesprockandmundt.com.