Neoma B. Bartels, age 87, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Thursday, April 30, 2015 at North Lake Manor in Storm Lake.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place Monday, May 4, 2015 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Neoma Bertha Gerke, the daughter of Henry and Irene (Ehlers) Gerke was born in rural Newell, Iowa, on March 21, 1928. She lived her youth in the rural Newell and Storm Lake vicinity. Neoma was baptized on April 6, 1928 at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Storm Lake and confirmed there on March 29, 1942. She received her education at the Zion Parochial School.

On October 12, 1947, Neoma was united in marriage to Eldo E. Bartels at Zion Lutheran Church and this union was blessed with one son: Daniel Lee. Neoma and Eldo’s married lifetime was spent in the Storm Lake community. She had been a homemaker, worked at Ellerbroerk’s Dress Shop in Storm Lake, and for many years Neoma was a cook at West Elementary School.

Following their marriage, Neoma and Eldo became members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1951 and then became charter members when Grace Lutheran Church was founded in Storm Lake. Neoma was an active member of her church where she participated in the Ladies Aid.

Neoma’s life will always be cherished and loved by her family which include her son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Desiree Bartels of Phoenix, Arizona; granddaughter, Elle Bartels of Phoenix, Arizona; sisters: Lorna (Willis) Lussman of Storm Lake, Iowa; and Loraine Harth of Alta, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other extended family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Eldo, on October 15, 2004.

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