Maureen Elizabeth (Blackport) Bartel

It is with profound sadness that the family announces the passing of Maureen Elizabeth (nee Blackport) Bartel, 65 years of Drake, SK, at Humboldt District Hospital on Saturday, June 11, 2022.

Maureen was born on August 24, 1956 at Lanigan to William and Gudrun (Nee Reykdal) Blackport. She obtained her education at the Lockwood, Drake, and Lanigan schools. Following grade 12, Maureen enrolled into Kelsey Institute and graduated as a Registered Nurse.  

She met the love of her life Lorne Bartel at the Jubilee Drive Inn at Manitou. On June 27, 1977 they were wed in Drake. They began their life together on a farm west of Drake where they have been farming ever since. This union was blessed with five children: Kelsey, Brett, Jolene, Bryce, and Rebecca. 

The Bartel household was a very busy place with Maureen working as a nurse while supporting farm operations and their active children. She tended to a large garden for the love of providing for her family and the joy of watching things grow. Her organizational skills were flawless, keeping everything running smoothly and her attention to detail was amazing.  

Maureen was a very creative and gifted sewer, keeping busy sewing not only clothing, but costumes and many skating outfits. Later, she made baby blankets, cloth diapers, and special pajamas for the grandchildren. 

Her culinary style was adventurous and her skills were impeccable, she loved preparing tasty dishes for the entire family. They have many great memories of the wonderful dishes she prepared, many of which can't be replaced. Her attention to detail was above and beyond, especially when it came to Christmas meals. The preparation lists were endless. They were followed to a “T” year after year. Many wonderful memories were made on many special occasions.   

Maureen’s love for music was fostered by her mother, she played the piano and sang for many weddings, including her children’s. She loved to sing at home while she worked, and she enjoyed when her children and grandchildren would join her for a song.

She found great happiness in her grandchildren, she loved spending time with them, playing with them and especially their cuddles. This brought her endless joy.

Travel was a great passion for Maureen, enjoying the sites of Europe as a young lady. Maureen and Lorne did a lot of travel through Canada, month long camping trips spanning from coast to coast to coast, and into the northern states, and then later to warmer destinations such as Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Hawaii. 

She was very active in the community on boards and committees such as: SUN Local Unions, Skating Club, and as a Sunday School teacher.     

Maureen’s caring, welcoming, and friendly smile will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of 45 years, Lorne Bartel of Drake, 5 children and 13 grandchildren: 

   Kelsey (Cory) Shiloff and family Alexis, Klay, and Colton of North Battleford;

   Brett (Karly) Bartel and family Nash and Callie of Calgary, AB; 

   Jolene (Ryan) Dieno and family Emma, Lauren, and Levi of Viscount; 

   Bryce (Rachel) Bartel and family Lincoln, Merit, and Nora of Drake;

   Rebecca (Carter) Lamont and family Slade and Anders of Lanigan; 

Uncle Richard Blackport of Lockwood, Aunt Katherine (Dolly) Blackport of Lockwood, Brother Doug (Lois Davidson) Blackport of Saskatoon, Brothers and sisters-in-law: Doug (Darlene) Bartel of Drake, Phyllis (Del) Davis of Grande Prairie, AB, Herb (Dianne) Bartel of Lanigan, Chester (Elaine) Bartel of Drake, Donna Bartel of Watrous; and by numerous nieces and nephews.  

Maureen was predeceased by her parents William and Gudrun Blackport, Uncle John, Aunt Edna, Uncle Ralph Blackport; Uncles Gisli, Eigll, and Barney Reykdal; Aunt Bina and Uncle George Keyser; parents-in-law Elmer and Linda (nee Gerbrandt) Bartel; and brother-in-law Jerry Bartel.

A Funeral Service was held on June 25, 2022 at the Community Centre in Drake, SK at 2pm, officiated by, Marjorie Keyser. Internment will follow at a later date, at the Lockwood Cemetery. Memorial donations in Maureen’s memory may be directed to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan or the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.