Ethel Bartylla

Ethel was born March 25th, 1929. She was one of 9 children born to Stella Serena Kay and Ralph (Doc) Henderson Williams. She was raised on her parents’ farm across from Pine Grove Park in Staples, MN. She was a shy girl who loved the outdoors and was a complete tomboy. As a young person she always wished she had been born a boy, as it seemed to her they had more privileges and were taught more about life. As a girl she felt she could not ask questions and grew up very naïve about life.

In her teens she always sold Buddy Poppies on the Saturday before Memorial Day. On Saturday May 25th, 1946, Lawrence Bartylla bought one from her and asked her out on a date. She accepted. They Married the following year on June 4th, 1947. In the early years of their marriage they moved around a bit, living in Corvalis Oregon and Detroit Michigan, but they eventually settled back in Minnesota, and by 1958 made their home in Lauderdale where they lived until the time they left this earth.

Ethel and Lawrence raised 4 children, Linda, Larry, Randy and Dawn. Over the years Ethel worked at Midland Hills Country Club (1960-76) and Twin City Die Castings (1977-84) so that they could afford to have Lake Property and be near their families in Central MN.

Ethel loved gardening, fishing and sewing (especially western shirts.) She also loved music. She played the violin growing up and learned to play the Organ as an adult. But more than anything she loved spending time with family and friends, especially the time she had with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. At large family gatherings she always wanted to add to the fun with her guessing games and homemade prizes. It was important to Ethel to stay in touch with her family, so everyone in her circle got cards and letters for Birthdays, Anniversaries and other Holidays!

Ethel lived a good long life and now she is back in the company of the family and friends who left this world before her. I’m sure they are feasting, laughing, and telling great stories.

Memorials preferred to:

Children's Heart Foundation - https://events.chfwalk.org/event/chicagoil/account/2355690

Or

American Cancer Society - https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialmedia&gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaignid=21603275924&utm_adgroupid=169792393161&utm_keyword=american%20cancer%20society&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21603275924&gbraid=0AAAAAD2heecJbFmbLFjGZgvk-r7ELK94x&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh-HPBhCIARIsAC0p3ccV9Ctiztzvo9I_ufhwp3n1OtK0vEDUMAxniStbk6qyHDryVNLQcQcaAuxgEALw_wcB

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 15th from 5pm-8pm at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Staples. Funeral Service will be held 11am on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at United Methodist Church in Staples with a visitation one hour prior.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples.