Bartels Twins Celebrate 90th

Twin brothers, Ray Bartels of Tecumseh and Bob Bartels of Steinauer, celebrated their 90th birthday with family and friends gathering at St Peter’s Lutheran Church Life Center near Elk Creek on Saturday afternoon, January 3. They were born on January 6, 1936 about 15 minutes apart. Ray was the first of the twins to be born. The brothers were the youngest of eight siblings who grew up together on a farm south of Tecumseh. Ray and Bob are both lifetime members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church near Elk Creek.
“We did almost everything together,” said Bob.
They both graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1953. In the early years of farming together they raised cattle and hogs. Once they decided to farm on their own, Ray began to grow Christmas trees to sell to area customers during the Christmas season, which he did for 15 years.  Today, another venue of Christmas tree production is now owned and operated by Bob’s daughter, Christy, and her husband Bruce Lade.
“It’s rewarding and gratifying,” said Ray about turning 90 years old. He attributed his long life to good health, his wife, June Bartels, and their family, which includes four children, Debra, Don, Cindy and Curt; eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Ray and June will celebrate 68 years of marriage on January 25.
Bob attributed his long life to a good family upbringing, working hard and faith in God. Bob and his wife, Mildred, have two children, Christy and Nathan; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Ray believes southeast Nebraska is a good place to live, although he and June have traveled to Europe four times, as well as visiting all 50 states. While their four children were growing up, Ray and June’s family loved to go camping. Ray enjoyed singing bass in the church choir and for area community Christmas cantatas.
Since turning 90, Ray is looking forward to good health, spending time with his family, and going to heaven. He battled cancer in the past, but has been cancer free for nine years. “I still love taking care of the farm and working at church; and working for the Lord is our main mission,” said Ray.
In addition to farming, Bob has also enjoyed working in his machine shop, where he spends time repairing his farm machinery. Bob has been a very active member of the Nebraska Farm Bureau since he returned from serving in the US Navy in 1958. Bob also enjoys watching baseball and other sports. He looks forward to the Bartels Family Reunion that is held every two years.
Bob is thankful he hasn’t had any serious health issues and, as always, he is glad he lives in a country where he has the freedom to do as he pleases.