Frank Joe Bartling
September 27, 1963 ~ August 15, 2015
Frank Edward Joseph Karl 'Joe' Bartling, 51, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, August 15, 2015, after a short illness. There will be no services. Joe graduated from Linn-Mar High School in 1981. When Joe was 19, and had a full cast on his leg from a football injury, he spent three months in Palmer, Alaska, with his two aunts and uncles. It was there that he earned the nickname of 'Let 'em go Joe'.
He was a printer's assistant for several years after high school. After that, he worked many years as a HVAC tinner, until 2013 when he suffered an injury at work that required reconstructive shoulder surgery.
Joe was an avid fishing and arrowhead outdoorsman and nature lover. Of course that nature lover gave him two rounds of rabies vaccines and a poisonous spider bite. He was also hit by lightning. We all thought he had nine lives, we were wrong.
Joe was very much loved by all in his immediate family. He will be missed greatly by his beloved daughter, Lexie Bartling of Cedar Rapids; parents, Karen and Frank Bartling of Coralville, Iowa; his sister, Coral (Tom) DeLancey of Lisbon; nephew, Ben DeLancey; niece, Kim DeLancey; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins in Iowa and Alaska.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Viola Wikert of Robertson, Iowa, and Edward and Blanche Bartling of Ackley, Iowa; and Joe's dog and best friend KC was humanely euthanized due to health issues on August 15, 2015.
The family is establishing a memorial fund for Joe to purchase a memorial bench and plaque with 'Joe and KC' engraved on it. Any donations can be sent to Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services at 1844 1st Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.
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So sorry for your loss,Joe was a great guy and I have good memories when he raced and rode Bmx.Had recently moved across the street from Joe and never found the time to make it over to talk with him,bummed now that he’s gone,RIP Joe from your old Bmx buddy Rick Condron.
Sorry for the loss of your son. Joe was one of the guys my friends and I looked up to as a child. I have great memories of D&N raceway where I spend many weekends with Karen, Frank and Joe. Joe was my brother Tony’s best friend and I admired them both. RIP Joe and thanks for the great memories ! Timmy Tri
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. My thoughts are with you all. Many great memories of the BMX days and everyone hanging out together. RIP Joe. Glen Henry.
Karen and Frank so sorry to hear of Joes passing. Thoughts and prayers to you. Curt and Sharon
Sorry for your loss, I will miss my fishing partner and my friend. The time we spent together in the boat (and I mean a lot of time) created a lifetime of memories.Im sure that somehow you will still out fish me. Love you Brother.Steve Miller
He will be missed by his best friend, Lee Bruce (brother) and family. He was like an uncle to the kids.
Karen, Frank, Coral and family
We are thinking of you today and remembering the BMX days so long ago. Sending our love, and prayers. Peace Tom and Jane Wright
Joe was one of the first friends I made moving to CR in 08′. He was genuine and always had a smile on his face. We shared a love for fishing and artifact hunting and he was nice enough to share some of his knowledge and more importantly his spots. I will think of him often visiting those places. My best memory was our trip to Green Castle. Our time was cut short but your memory will live on. Rest in peace my friend.
Deron Myers
We have so many fond memories of the years fishing together. And anytime Joe was in our area,he always made time to stop and visit. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Joe will be missed and never forgotten. Connie and Denny Miller
Karen, Frank, Coral and Lexie, please accept our deepest condolences. We are so sorry for your loss…for all of our loss. What can you say about a guy who has been your best friend (partner in crime) for 40 years??? I remember the days back at the roller rink, BMX racing, learning how to trout fish with Joe and Frank and Karen’s famous game feeds! I remember cruising first avenue in the Camaro and taking my first trip to the Mississippi walleye fishing with Joe. Then there were several years fishing Kyle’s Bait and Tackle tournaments on the Mississippi, feasting on walleye and Joe’s fresh picked mushrooms! How about the 15 years fishing the Clear Lake Classic…CASHING CHECKS! Let’s not forget our years together bouncing at the Gin Mill! I will miss you Buddy but will meet up with you again some day! Tony Tri
Joe was a customer of mine when he was a tinner with Lins in Cedar rapids. I got to know him over the 5 years that he came into the shop at air management. What a great, funny, and awesome person! I remember when he bought his Toyota tundra pick-up. He was so proud of it! Two things I remember about Joe is that he loved fishing and was one TOUGH guy with a kind heart. He ALWAYS had a funny story to tell and I’m going to miss him!! God bless you all and see you again Joe!!
So sorry to hear about your loss. Sometimes you wonder who gets to decide when they say they are going to take a good friend. I worked with Joe at Heating Service, he always had a story to tell, what a great guy to work beside.Joe will be a loss to all the all people he knew , me included, my thoughts are with his family.
So sorry to hear about Joe’s passing . While growing up Joe and my brother Tony were inseparable with BMX racing, fishing and all their other crazy adventures. I have many fond memories and feel as if we have lost part of our family. Your smile will never be forgotten. RIP Joe until we meet again. With our deepest sympathy.
RIP “Joe Longhair” thanks for the memories as Your Brother in law “Buzz”. The night before your wedding night to my sister Lea Anne and you ordered Shrimp and Jalapeno pizza from Dobies house. The fishing stories and everything else . Thank You , Love You Brother,Till we meet Again, Don Gandy.
We are so sorry to hear about Joe passing away. He was the best friend a guy could have. My son and i fished and hunted with Joe. He was a great fisherman. He taught us so much. We will miss you Joe. Rest in pease Buddy. Our prayers are with you and your family. Dan, Sherry and John Sweeney
Not sure where to begin… Doesn’t seem real, so, I’ll start here. My heart is truly saddened by this loss. Frank, Edward, Joseph, Karl will be greatly missed by a lot of people! I know that Joe believed in GOD and is in Heaven. No matter what trauma or roadblocks were in the way, Joe was able to persevere. We carried the Serenity Prayer coin that Karen gave both of us when we got married – that prayer was memorized and was often spoken while we were fishing or camping and later reminisced in passing through the years.
Joe loved his parents and Sister Coral and repeatedly said; that his Mom, Karen had his best interest in mind and Dad Frank had his back. If I could say one thing to his family, it would be that I know deep inside that Joe was humble, grateful and unconditionally loved you! May you Rest in Peace Joseph and God Bless You!
My dads best friend (brother) had passed away so soon, sorry dad for your loss, joe was like my uncle I’m going to miss seeing you around and joking with you calling you by the nickname I gave you (fairy), and at Christmas time messing with the Noel letters just to drive my mom crazy and put Leon. You never got to meet Kaden but I know your looking down on him. Gone but never forgotten! Kristie Bruce
Rip Joe we will miss you we had good great times I remember the one time we went arrowhead hunting and Joe got mad cause I found a perfect point in a clump of mud that fell off his boot. But we will be hunting again some day until I see you again rest easy bud James Bruce
You meant alot to my dad. You were like an uncle. You will be missed around here. AnnaLee Bruce
I know you will be missed by so many. Lee is at a loss without you around. You were so much like family. I will miss you coming and moving the Christmas stuff around. Picking on me. You were like a brother. Just knowing you and KC are together is comforting. Till another day my friend. Tracy Bruce
Dear Karen & Frank, so sorry for your loss. I only met Joe a couple of times but heard many wonderful stories about him. It was a big deal for him to go out fishing with his Dad.
My prayers are with you.
PEACE & SERENITY LOVE GAYLE J. NELSON
Dear Uncle Frank and Aunt Karen, Beth and I are so sorry for your loss! Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you guys at this sad and difficult time. Love to all! David and Beth Bartling
KC – Joe’s dog
No words can express the loss this family has. I hadn’t seen Joe for awhile but that does not mean he wasn’t in my thoughts and prayers. Love all of you so much!
“Joe” this is for you – the next time we’re together, I expect your gramps and you to have a big fish fry waiting.
Love to you, Barb/Kent
So Sorry for your loss. Joe was a great friend and fishing partner and he will be greatly missed. Amy and I will be thinking and praying for you guys. I pray the fishing is good, arrowheads and morels are plentiful in Heaven Joe.
My sincere condolences and thoughts are with Joe’s family. It doesn’t seem like all that long ago when Joe and Tony Tri where running around together and they didn’t realize how many people looked up to them from who got more dates,who can hold the most chew and of course giving me Tim and Rob Tri a hard time.My fondest memories are the way he handled himself a true sportsman but a gentleman first. He will be missed.
I just found out about Joe today… I have so many great memories of him and kc he could always make me laugh and had the greatest stories… I love you joe.
Joe you will be deeply missed. I am a better person today because I knew you. You spoke your mind and expressed your view like no one else could. You were always there to give me a helping hand when I needed it. For that I will always be great full. Sometimes the lord works in mysterious ways that we can’t understand. Goodbye friend till we meet again.
I met Joe only just about a year and a 1/2 before he was taken from this world. He was the most honest and truthful person I’d ever met. I still miss his smile and that look in his eyes when you just knew he was scheming a plan for going fishing or mushroom hunting – just being outside was his first love. I plan to go up to the place where i saw him last fishing this weekend. Joe – you are truly missed and Steve I am sure misses his fishing buddy from the Walleye Classic of 2014. Joe, if you were here now I know you’ld be getting ready for the Classic! Love you and miss you and kc muchly, – Annie