Manuel Bartolo

Manuel "Manny" Bartolo, of Coon Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, at the age of 87, surrounded by his loved ones.

Manny was born in Lakota, Iowa on June 17, 1938, to Marcial and Rose Bartolo. He grew up helping his family on farms near Ledyard and Swea City, Iowa. After graduating from high school, Manny proudly served his country in the United States Army, where he was stationed at Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks, Alaska. On November 4, 1961, he married the love of his life, Mona, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and two children, Troy (Manuel) and Traci.

Manny was a devoted and active father, coaching his children's sports teams and playing recreational softball. He developed a passion for boxing at a young age and boxed out of Blue Earth, Minnesota. After he and Mona made their home in Coon Rapids, Manny continued to share that passion by coaching at local boxing clubs. He later partnered with a close friend to open a boxing gym of their own in the area. Manny spent much of his adult life surrounded by family and friends, creating lasting memories and bringing his warmth, humor, and quick wit to every interaction.

Manny dedicated 33 years of his professional life to Kurt Manufacturing (1967-2001) and continued serving the community for another 15 years in retirement while working at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN.

He was an equally enthusiastic grandfather and Manny proudly gave up his season tickets to his beloved Minnesota Gophers Football team when his grandchildren began playing sports, choosing instead to become their biggest fan. He often biked to, or attended, multiple games in a single day just to cheer them on.

Manny is survived by his son, Troy Bartolo; daughter Traci (Joe) Jackson; grandchildren Whitney (Luke) Harvey, Jarid (Stef) Jackson, Bronson (Bree) Bartolo, and Tyler (Rachael) Jackson; seven great-grandchildren; siblings MaryAnn Tokheim of Schaller, IA; Molly (Dan) Schubert of Raleigh, NC; Buck Bartolo of Ledyard, IA; Lupe (Dave) Kollasch of Swea City, IA; Julia (Mike) Dean of Rogers, MN; and John (Sheila) Bartolo of Algona, IA; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mona Bartolo; his parents Marcial and Rose Bartolo; sister Rosalie Spaulding and her husband, David; brother Sylvester (Bart) Bartolo and his wife, Nancy; brother-in-law Phil Tokheim; daughter-in-law Mary Bartolo; and in-laws Art and Lorraine Heiberg, Cynthia Grotberg, and Dennis Heiberg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association: https://donorservices.alz.org.

Celebration of Life

Coon Rapids VFW Post 9625

Date: Tuesday, April 14

Time: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Address: 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433

A military honors service will be scheduled at a later date.