Tom Barthell

THOMAS RALPH BARTHELL Thomas Ralph Barthell was born to Leonard and Martha Boeckh Barthell on July 25, 1928, in Waukon, Iowa. Tom grew up in Lansing, Iowa, a Mississippi river town close to his heart. Tom played baseball and basketball on the school and community teams. His high school basketball team went to the state tournament in 1946, a major accomplishment for a small-town team. He also played the sousaphone in the band. His first real job was running the projector at the local theater, a position he received when the regular projectionist went to serve in World War II. Tom graduated from Kee High School in Lansing in 1946. He enlisted in the Navy following graduation. He served for two years and is a World War II veteran. He loved to tell the story of meeting Admiral Bill Halsey in the elevator at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Tom was a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge. He entered Evergreen Lodge 144 in Lansing at the age of 21. He served as Worshipful Master of the Koochiching Masonic Lodge 179 in International Falls for several terms. He was the oldest member of the Lodge at the time of his death. Tom attended the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa with the GI Bill. It was there he met Jane Chambers while singing in the University Choir. They were married on August 26, 1951. They celebrated their 74thanniversary with a dinner at home. Tom and Jane moved to International Falls in 1952 where Tom took a job with the Research Lab at Mando. They raised four children in the Falls. Tom took a job with Celotex in L'Anse, Michigan in 1974. They returned to International Falls in 1978 where he did what he called his "fun jobs". He drove a school bus, worked at Mason's clothing store and designed septic systems through Voyageur Sanitarian for many people in the area. His last paid position was projectionist at Cine 5. He enjoyed the fact that his first and last jobs were running movies for people. Tom was active in the community in many ways. He participated in numerous musical groups and civic organizations as well as the Rainy Lake Players summer theater. He was a member of the barbershop quartet in The Music Man and played Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl. Tom and Jane were early supporters in the work to fund the creation of the Backus Community Center and remained members. They were named Citizen of the Year in 2018. Tom enjoyed hunting and fishing, but he admitted that mostly he liked the walks in the woods. Camping trips with the family to Lake of the Woods and various campgrounds in the area were a favorite activity. After retirement Tom and Jane enjoyed many extended trips in their motorhome, visiting the kids and being tourists. Tom and Jane have been active members of Faith United Church of Christ (Bethlehem Congregational) from the time they moved to I Falls. Tom sang in the choir, served on many committees, helped maintain the facility and participated in many adult study groups. He and Jane made many trips to Sheridan, Mississippi to work with the Minnesota United Church of Christ Habitat for Humanity project. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Bruce Kelly, daughter-in-law Patsy Barthell, and brother-in-law James Hughes. He is survived by wife, Jane, sister Dorothy Hughes, children Linda (Mike) Orsted, Peggy Kelly, Fred Barthell, Ann (Rick) Sigsby, grandchildren Jennifer Barthell, Jon (Jennifer) Barthell, Liz (Barry) O'Donnell, Ingrid Orsted and great grandchildren Harlow Barthell and Emma O'Donnell, nieces and nephews Brian Kelly, Brett (Amy) Kelly, Lisa (Brian) Davis, Roger (Brenda) Hughes, and Donald Hughes. A memorial service will be held Friday, October 24th at 11:00 am at Faith United Church of Christ. A luncheon will follow the service. A graveside service will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lansing, Iowa in the spring. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to Faith United Church of Christ, Backus Community Center or Habitat for Humanity are appreciated. Green-Larsen Mortuary (218) 283-2588 https://www.greenlarsen.com/