Sandra J. Bartels

A Funeral Service for Sandra will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Tobias, Nebraska, with Pastor Alex Bjoraker presiding. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025, at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska, from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Graveside Services will be conducted following the funeral service at the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Tobias, Nebraska. Memorials are to be directed to the family to be designated at a later date. Sandra Jean (Gragert) Bartels was born to Merton and Irene (Schweer) Gragert on September 10th, 1942 in Fairmont, Oklahoma. She passed away on December 18th, 2025 at her home in Tobias, Nebraska at the age of 83 years, 3 months, 8 days. She was the oldest of three children in her family. Sandra was baptized on September 30th, 1942. She was confirmed on March 25th, 1956. Sandra began her education at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairmont, Oklahoma until 8th grade. She then attended Garber High School in Garber, Oklahoma where she graduated in 1960. She continued her educational career at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma where she earned her bachelor's degree in business in 1964. On August 8th, 1964 she was united in holy marriage to Laird Bartels at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairmont Oklahoma. This union was blessed with three children–Lisa, Gary, and James. They made their home on the Bartels family farm near Tobias, Nebraska where they spent their entire married life. She kept busy raising her family and helping keep books for the family farm. She then worked at Meridian Public Schools as a secretary where she enjoyed visiting with students and staff. Sandra had many interests and hobbies that kept her busy throughout her life. She was apart of Tobias Legion Auxiliary Post #311 and the Red Hat Society. One of her greatest hobbies was bowling where she traveled often with her leagues. She loved to play cards and played countless games of Rook with friends and family. She was an avid reader often reading more than one book at a time and loved to travel. She was proud to have made it to all fifty states and seven different countries. Sandra enjoyed watching sports and was a Nebraska fan through and through. She and Laird were Nebraska Football season ticket holders for over thirty years. Above all else, Sandra enjoyed supporting her family. She supported her kids through their activities, and then later kept busy with the activities of her seven grandkids. They could always count on Granny, a name she held in high regard, being a familiar face in the stands cheering them on no matter the sport or activity. Sandra is preceded in death by her parents, Merton and Irene Gragert; in laws Paul and Renata (Reetz) Bartels; sister and brother in law Willis and LaVona Niederklein. Sandra is survived by her husband of 61 years, Laird. Their children: Lisa (Curtis) Cogswell of McCool Junction and their family Coleman (Brooklyn) and Conner; Gary Bartels of Daykin and his family Blake and McKehna (Drew); James (Martha) Bartels of Lincoln and their family Ostynn (Kim),Josie, and Brynley; Great grandchildren Ella, Mallery, Thomas, Kaspian, Aurelia, and Nikolai; brothers Bruce (Lynn) Gragert of Edmond, Oklahoma and Mark (Cindy) Gragert of Wylie, Texas; brother and sister in law ElRoy (Alice) Bartels of Gretna and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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Sandra J. Bartels

September 10, 1942 - December 18, 2025