Donna Bartkowicz

1931 - 2024

Donna Faye Bartkowicz, 93-year-old resident of Bowlus, passed away at her home.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 4 at 1 PM at Riverside Cemetery in Ronneby, MN.

Donna Faye (Arenkiel) Bartkowicz was born July 11, 1931 in Maywood Township, Benton County, MN to the late Ingvard and Anna (Lippert) Arenkiel. She grew up in the Foley area with her siblings. She attended and graduated from Foley High School. After high school, she moved and worked in the Metro area with her niece/best friend, Bertie. She met her future husband, Richard while working at Munsingwear. She was united in marriage to Richard Bartkowicz and they were blessed with eight children, Bruce, Scott, Jacquelyn, Dayna, Michael, Randy, William, and the late Garrett. The couple later divorced but had lived in Bowlus, MN since the early 1950's with their children. She worked at Gold'n Plump for many years, retiring once then returning.

Donna and her family enjoyed getting together on the weekends, playing cards and swimming at Little Rock Lake. Donna enjoyed fixing and tinkering with things on the farm, planting flowers, caring for animals. Gardening was one of her passions, from her large pickle patch in the early years to the "throwing tomatoes" in her later years. She enjoyed attending auctions and spending time with her family. Donna will be remembered for her wonderful homemade cheesecake, stuffing and Holiday meals with family. She will be remembered and loved by all who knew her!

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Bruce (Lisa) Bartkowicz of Swanville, Scott (Jeanne) Bartkowicz of Swanville, Michael Bartkowicz of Bowlus, Randy (Angie) Bartkowicz of Bowlus, Billy (Missy) Bartkowicz of Staples, Jackie (Dale) Barthel of Bowlus, Dayna Bartkowicz of Alexandria; her 31 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Garrett Bartkowicz; granddaughters, Kya Bartkowicz and Miranda Bartkowicz and siblings, Edna and Theodore Meline, Albert Arenkiel, Lillian and Gunnard Forschen, Edward and Cecil Arenkiel, Ida and Walter Heatherington, Leyella and John Hiland, Irvin Arenkiel, Harvey and Charlotte Arenkiel, Daro and Viv Arenkiel, Anna and Lloyd Rudnitski, Nina and Herbet Beehler, Irene and Virgil Johnson, and Walter Arenkiel.

Emblom Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of Donna.