OTIS — Henrietta J. “Hankie” Bartonek, 95, passed away May 31, 2021, at Locust Grove Village, LaCrosse. She was born September 21, 1925, in rural Olmitz, to Charles and Anna (Bittner) Menzer. Hankie married Kenneth Bartonek Feb. 13, 1947 in Olmitz. He died Aug. 13, 1977.

Hankie, a lifetime resident of Rush County, was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz. Having a servant’s heart, she was a long time cook for Otis Bison elementary school, Central Kansas Medical Center and the LaCrosse Hospital. Never having idle hands, Hankie also worked tirelessly as the Otis City Librarian and volunteered as a Senior Companion. Above all, she was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, always enjoying time spent with her family. 

Survivors include one daughter, Doris Straub of Otis; three granddaughters, Melissa Swift and husband Eric, Tami Christiansen and husband Curtis, Sharnelle Herrman and husband Chris; and seven great-grandchildren, Kendra Swift, Aiden Swift, Chandler Christiansen, Gage Christiansen, Courtney Christiansen, Hunter Herrman, Brayden Herrman, and Makenzy Herrman. She was preceded in passing by a son-in-law, Kenneth “Mert” Straub.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 am, Saturday, June 5, 2021, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, with Father Anselm Eke presiding. Interment will follow at St. Catholic Cemetery, Olmitz. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 4, 2021, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be given to St. Ann Catholic Church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, 415 N. Main, Hoisington, KS, 67544.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

415 N. Main

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 2, 2021