September 4, 1943 – December 24, 2024
Nancy Bartolo, 81, formerly of Swea City, died Tuesday at Good Samaritan Society Algona. A visitation will be from 4 to 6 PM Monday, December 30, 2024, at Oakcrest Funeral Services of Algona with a funeral service beginning at 6:00 PM. There will be a private family graveside service on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at Harrison Township Cemetery in Swea City.
Nancy Louise (Pendergrass) Bartolo was born on September 4, 1943, to Jesse and Minnie (Coley) Pendergrass in Henderson (Vance County), North Carolina. She was the 8th of 9 children. Nancy lovingly recalled her father as a hard-working tobacco sharecropper and her mother as the most wonderful nurturer and fabulous cook.
Nancy met the love of her life Sylvester “Bart” Bartolo when he was stationed at the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC. He visited Henderson on weekend leave with a fellow soldier who was a neighbor of the Pendergrasses. They fell in love and eloped on September 26, 1961, just after she turned 18 years old.
Shortly after Bart left the Air Force, he and Nancy moved back to Iowa to farm. They had 3 boys and raised them to be hard-working, caring men. Nancy loved her children deeply and enjoyed attending all of their football, baseball, basketball, and track events. She was their biggest fan!
After they left farming and moved into town, Nancy began working as an aide and unit clerk at Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont, MN. She loved her work and provided love and care for the residents there as if they were her own parents. She retired at 70 years of age.
Aside from her family and work, Nancy enjoyed baking and cooking. Her family, as well as many neighbors and friends, loved her cooking and baked goods. They will especially remember her for her delicious bread!
Nancy and Bart enjoyed several activities together including bowling, gardening, antiquing and traveling. They took many trips to see her family in North Carolina. They celebrated an anniversary with a trip to Hawaii, as well as visited several other places in the United States. Nancy was also active in the Swea City Methodist Church and enjoyed her service through the Women’s Love Circle.
Nancy’s biggest joy was her 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She loved to read to and play with them whenever they visited. She always made sure she had some goodies for them to eat, as well as to take home.
Nancy is survived by her 4 sons –Scott (Marcia) of Arnolds Park, Eric (Jere) of Mason City, Damon (LuAnn) of Wilmington, NC and honorary son, her nephew, Joe (Lisa) Bartolo; 8 grandchildren—Alicia (Adam) Reynolds, Brandon Bartolo, Kendra Bartolo, Zachary Bartolo, Rebecca Bartolo, Kelli (Michael) Mishoe, Mary Vance (Jonathan) Calhoun, and Gracie Bartolo; 9 great grandchildren –Andryk, Kasen and Bentley Reynolds, Harrison Bartolo, Parker, Phoebe and Milo Mishoe, and Anna Blake and Palmer Calhoun; 2 sisters Peggy Drewer and Joyce Stone; 1 brother Bennie Pendergrass; many brothers-and sisters-in-law; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Nancy joined several loved ones who prepared a place in Heaven for her including her husband of 63 years Sylvester “Bart” Bartolo; parents Jesse and Minnie Pendergrass; parents-in-law Marcial and Rose Bartolo; brothers J.T., Joe, and John Pendergrass; sisters Betty Tart and Mary Brame; as well as others she dearly loved as both family and friends.
Nancy Bartolo’s life was truly blessed with love, family, and friends!
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