Virginia Mae Bartelt

Virginia Mae Anang goo Ikwe (Lord) Bartelt, 98, of Solon Springs, WI  passed away on May 31, 2026 in her home surrounded by the love of her family. She was just days away from celebrating her 99th birthday.

Virginia was known by her “Son Robert” and daughter, Rosalyn, as “mom” but by many others she was Auntie, Grandma Virginia, Cousin and Friend. She was the 3rd of 6 children born to Joseph E. Lord and Catherine Mae (Powers) Lord on June 11, 1927 in Superior, WI. She was a descendent of the Osauge, Lord and Lucius families of Solon Springs.

Virginia lived in many different locations during her lifetime including the state of Oregon and many cities in Wisconsin including Superior, Solon Springs, Richland Center, Muscoda, Highland, Wilton, Tomah, La Crosse, Milwaukee and Belgium, WI. She graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1946 and met her love and life partner, Robert E. Bartelt, in Milwaukee who she married in June of 1950.

Together with her husband they raised their two children in Milwaukee but it was their dream to find a place in the country. In 1969, they moved to a 10 acre hobby farm in Belgium, Wisconsin. Through the years they had a rooster, dogs, cats, steers, pigs, sheep, turkeys and maintained a large garden. For many years she and Bob rummaged for collectibles & antiques which she sold from their One Room School House and antique malls in the area.

Virginia was a devout Catholic all her life and enjoyed volunteering for the Salvation Army. She was always willing to lend a helping hand. 

Virginia was a sweet and kind hearted joyful soul who loved to tell stories and laugh whole heartedly even when no one else would laugh. Family time and stories were important to her. She looked forward to traveling with friends and family, especially with her beloved sister, Mary Ann, who she traveled with for many years. Virginia loved to collect rocks of all shapes and sizes from the places she visited. When she couldn’t travel anymore, the highlight of her days was to be visited by family and friends. A supply of everyone’s favorite treats was always available on her kitchen counter. M&Ms, black licorice, nuts, cookies and Green Bay Packer mints were some of the favorites. 

After 54 years of marriage, her husband, Bob, died in 2000. Virginia sold the hobby farm in Belgium, WI in 2006 and moved back to her family roots in Solon Springs on her father’s Indian Trust land. 

Virginia was a proud member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She will always be our shining Star (Anang) Woman (Ikwe).

A heartfelt thank you for the amazing love and support from our caregivers, the Fond du Lac Human Services Staff and the Essentia Hospice Team.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph E. and Catherine M. Lord; husband, Robert E. Bartelt; brothers, Donald Dunham, Earl E. Lord, Joseph A. Lord, Albert L. Lord; sister, Beverly J. (Lord) Legore.

Virginia is survived by her son, Robert L. (Cory) Bartelt; daughter, Rosalyn (Joseph) Vier; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren; sister, Mary Ann (Lord) Walt; sister-in-law, Phyllis Lord; Nieces and Nephews. 

A celebration of life mass will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 4:00 PM at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Solon Springs. A time of gathering and a meal will follow the service at Soft Pines Resort.

A private family interment will be held for Virginia.

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