Lee and Karen (Waide) Bartels of Kahoka celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 20, 2025.
Lee and Karen (Waide) Bartels of Kahoka celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 20, 2025.
Both are graduates of CC R-1, Lee, 1962 and Karen, 1964. Lee graduated from US Trade School at Kansas City with a certification in Auto Body Repair and Refinishing. Karen attended NEMO State University.
They were united in marriage at the Kahoka Methodist Church on June 20, 1965.
Lee owned and operated Lee’s Body Shop and Wrecker Service for over 20 years. Then he was an over the road truck driver for over 20 years. He worked part-time for Ball Volvo and currently owns and operates a stump grinding service.
Karen worked several different jobs, then opened her own business, Kahokaland Video for almost 20 years. She is currently employed part-time at the Bank of Monticello.
The Bartels have lived in Kahoka most of their married life. They have two children, Tony and his wife Nakita, and Tammy Wendt and her husband Paul, all of Kahoka.
They also have two grandchildren Jordan Wendt and wife Christina, and Jaden (Wendt) Smith and husband Jacob and four great grandchildren, Jarett, Jameson, and Jeremiah Smith and Maren Wendt.
The couple spent their anniversary attending T-ball and going out to dinner.
