On Thursday, August 17, 2023, Viola Zwernemann Bartek, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, was called home by her Lord and Savior to her eternal resting place.
Viola was born on April 15, 1935, in Caldwell, to Alfred and Emma (Wiederhold) Zwernemann.
She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Deanville, where she was still a member.
On May 26, 1951, Viola and Joe Bartek were married in the Elizabeth Lutheran Church in Caldwell. To this union were born five children.
Viola was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of Hermann holding various positions.
She worked at Leisure Lodge Nursing Home, Perry Bros., and the Caldwell Elementary School Cafeteria. She volunteered at the Manor Nursing Home.
Viola enjoyed gardening, sewing, traveling, baking kolaches and pastry rolls, and her family’s favorite… homemade beef noodle soup.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Emma Zwernemann; husband, Joe; son, Marvin; great-grandson, Knox Story; brothers, Ewald and Calvin Zwernemann; sisters, Vilma Drahem and husband, Fred, and Esther Elliott and husband, J.V.; and brother-in-law, Garland Bland.
She is survived by her son, J.D. Bartek and wife, Irene (of Flatonia); Marvin’s widow, Sheryl Bartek Castillo and husband, Eddie (of Austin); son, Carl Bartek and wife, Debbie; daughter, Lori Chmelar and husband, Darrell; and daughter, Sheila Bartek (all of Caldwell); and special companion, Daniel Perry; her grandchildren, Elizabeth Viktorin and husband, Eric; Darlene Bartek; Brandy Garcia and husband, Maxsimo; C.J. Bartek; Stuart Bartek and wife, Renata; Brittany Bartek; Adria Bartek; Mason Bartek and wife, Rachel; Mackenzie Bartek; Stephanie Roberson and husband, Michael; Allison Story and husband, Ty; and Dylan Chmelar and wife, Courtney; her great grandchilden Taylor, Tyler, and Claire Viktorin; Noelia, Andres, Carmelo, Mateo and Cinco Garcia; Jonah and Ava Bartek; Sophia and Lily Roberson; Palmer Story; her sister, Lorena Bland, and sister-in-law, Edith Zwernemann; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are C.J. Bartek, Stuart Bartek, Mason Bartek, Dylan Chmelar, Eric Viktorin, and Andres Garcia.
Honorary pallbearers are Tyler Viktorin, Maxsimo Garcia, Carmelo Garcia, Mateo Garcia, Cinco Garcia, Jonah Bartek, Michael Roberson, Ty Story, and Frankie Flippin.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Strickland Funeral Home. They invite you to visit their website at www. stricklandfuneralhomes. com and sign the online register book.