Alvin E. Bartsch

Alvin Emil Bartsch, 76, passed on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at his home near Brady, MT.

 Alvin was born in Great Falls on October 3, 1947 to Elmer and Lucille Bartsch. He graduated from Brady High School and went to school at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. Alvin went on to achieve an associate degree from Montana Bible College in Billings. He was enlisted into the US Navy Reserve from 1969-1973 serving in Vietnam as a chaplain assistant.

He married Sandra Bartsch on April 17, 2004 and they lived in Spokane, WA until July 2020 when they moved to Brady. 

Most of his adult life he was a wheat farmer on the family farm that was started by his grandfather, Emil, in 1914. He loved farming and continued to help his son, Jim, harvest up until 1 week prior to his death. Alvin delivered fuel and worked at an alpaca ranch earlier in his life.

Alvin committed his life to Christ at an early age and lived it out his entire life. He was involved at the Conrad Mission Church for 40 years and was presently attending Conrad New Life Fellowship. Alvin was an active Gideon and could be seen passing out Bibles at local parades. He gave faithfully to the Child Evangelism Fellowship and was a member of EAA and Mach1 Flying Club, serving as treasurer. 

Alvin enjoyed airplanes, music, family, traveling, and was an inventor.

 He is preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Makiah Bartsch.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra; children, Jim (Tammy) Bartsch of Brady, Jeremy (Bridget) Bartsch of Helena, Daniel (Amanda) Odor of Newberg, OR, Joel (Whitney) Odor of Baton Rouge, LA, and Nathan (Sharon) Odor of Tooele, UT; sister, Sharilyn (Don) Nydam of Rogers, MN; and grandchildren, Alyssa (Jonathan) Blanchard, Natalie Bartsch, Casimir Bartsch, Jacob Bartsch, Seth Odor, Noah Greco, Abraham Odor, Selah Odor, Kade Odor, Haven Odor, Lincoln Odor, Ellis Odor, Caleb Odor, Luke Odor, and Mark Odor.

Services will be held Saturday, August 31, at 10:00 AM at Conrad Mission Church. A reception at Conrad New Life Fellowship to follow.