Laurence Joseph Barthel, age 89, of Glendive, passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at the Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City.
Visitation was held from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive with Father Francis Schreiber officiating. Rite of Committal will be held in Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with arrangements.
Laurence was born in Golva, N.D. on April 24, 1926, a son of Tonie and Catherine (Dietz) Barthel; together they were a family of nine. Laurence attended country school for eight years before he was drafted into the United States Army at the age of eighteen in 1944. During this time, he served during World War II and was sent to Germany where he was in the 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division. Laurence was honorably discharged from military service on May 16, 1947.
Laurence met and later married Betty Mae Pauls on February 10, 1949 and to this union Laurence gained a son and together they had a daughter, Marie. In 1971, Betty Mae had a stroke and another one in 1990. She passed away in 1994.
In 1952, Laurence and Betty moved their family to Glendive where he worked for the railroad for five years before he started his lifelong career in farming. He retired in 1990. Laurence was a caring man that enjoyed volunteering his time helping others.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tonie and Catherine Barthel; wife, Betty in 1994; step-son, Martin; and brother, Donald Barthel.
Laurence is survived by his daughter, Marie Barthel of Glendive; sisters, Helen Casey of Glendive, Christine Finneman of Golva, N.D., Dorothy Finneman of Miles City, Mary Ann Marman of Glendive, Leona Jacobs of Big Timber, and Lillian Patterson of Glendive; brother, Ray Barthel of Wibaux; three step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.