Noel Bartlett, 82

Noel Bartlett, 82, passed away at his Lakeside residence on Jan. 19, 2016.  

Noel was born Feb. 28, 1933, in Pocatello, Idaho. At a young age, the family moved to Northern California where he graduated from Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, California.

Noel then enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Corps in January 1951. He was honorably discharged in December 1955. Noel then went on to San Francisco State University where he earned his degree.

In 1953, he married Joan Bedecarrax in Green Brae, California. They moved to Denver where Noel worked for Hallmark Cards. His association with Hallmark led him to franchising Hatch’s Card and Gift Shops in Montana and Wyoming. While living in Billings, Noel was awarded “Boss of the Year” by the American Business Women’s Association for his encouragement of young people to further enrich their lives.

Noel was also a member of Rotary, the Montana Retail Association, and National and State Chambers of Commerce in Billings. Living in Lakeside, Noel was president of the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce for two years; the Montana Realtors Association; and president of the Lakeside Sewer and Water District during the planning and operations for 10 years.

Noel enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing and boating.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Edna (Bickmore) Bartlett.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, of Lakeside; children, Debbie and Tom Davis of Spokane, Kathy Bergeron-Adams of Lakeside, and Sue and Dave Thornquist of Arvada, Colorado; sister, Judith Lewis, of Kenston, North Carolina; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A private burial will be held. A celebration of Noel’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Lakeside Community Chapel.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Home Options Hospice or to the Lakeside Community Chapel.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.bufalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.