Vicki Bartel

Vicki Sue Janzen Bartel, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend was born May 10, 1945, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and passed away peacefully March 14, in Keller, Texas, surrounded by her loving family. Family and friends will celebrate the life and love of Vicki Saturday, March 23, 10:00AM, at Keller United Methodist Church located at 1025 Johnson Rd, Keller, Tx 76248. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Vicki's memory to the American Cancer Society with a focus on cancer. The daughter of Ethel and Allen Janzen of Clinton, Oklahoma, Vicki graduated from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 1967. During college she met and married the love of her life, Stan Bartel, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, in 1965. An extraordinary musician, Vicki made the most of Stan's several business initiated moves making music, directing choirs, and serving as organist, in many states including Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and California. Vicki was a consummate teacher who inspired her students, teaching private piano lessons, choral music in school systems, and serving as a church choral director.A high point for Vicki and Stan were three and a half years from 1992-1995 spent in a small community, Mouans Sartoux, in the South of France. Vicki served the Cannes, France, religious music community at the Notre Dame de Bon Voyage Catholic Church under the guidance and mentorship of Henri Porteau, the director of music there. She was graciously embraced by the local French community and became the assistant organist and assistant choir director. She was invited by the Cannes Ministry of Culture to be the American Guest Organist for three consecutive summers at the Sunday evening concerts sponsored by the Ministry of Culture. Her love of French composers made her a favorite of the local French community. She studied and received organ lessons from organ masters in Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, St Maximin, Lyon and Geneva. At the time of her return to the USA in September, 1995, she was presented the Medaille D'Argent, (the silver medal equivalent to the key to the City) by the Mayor of Cannes in a champagne reception at the Cannes Palais de Festival. Over 300 local and international musicians and friends were there to honor her in an event which was locally televised. Vicki and Stan loved to travel, play golf and spend time with each other and their family, especially grandson Trenton Swain. Vicki is survived by her beloved husband Stan , son David Bartel of Marble Falls, Texas, daughter Julie Elizabeth Swain, son-in-law Brian Swain, grandson Trenton Swain of Keller, Texas, sister Elizabeth Janzen Smith of Denver, Co, sister Janet Caille of Ft Collins, Co, nieces Jennifer Lowry, Jessica Finnessy, Kristen Lamb and nephew Adam Lamb.