On July 21st, 2023, Michael Hugh Bartlett, of rural Ford County Kansas, passed away peacefully at his home with his wife of 54 years (Carla) and his three adult children (Tori, Janae and Hugh Bartlett) all by his side.

Mike was born in March of 1949 to D.A. and Janie Bartlett, who have both preceded him in death.  He was raised on a farm North of Fowler, Kansas, where he attended school and graduated high school with the class of 1967.  He then went to Dodge City Community College.  He also served in the Kansas National Guard and in May of 1969, Mike married his high school sweetheart, Carla Gerber.  They lived in Fowler for a short period of time before moving to the farm where his parents had raised him and his 3 sisters, Dawn Ann (Walters), Sue (Wiseman), and Sara (Friesen).

Mike worked hard with his father and he became the 4th generation of Bartlett's to make a living out on the family farm.  Farming and feeding cattle were his passion in life and he had a talent for growing crops and livestock.  He had many good horses and a number of loyal dogs over his lifespan.  Mike wasn't afraid to take an occasional risk which led him to some unique business opportunities such as buying a couple truckloads of wild mustangs or in another instance, a herd of buffalo.  Raising buffalo suited him well and he maintained a herd for over 30 years.

Mike Bartlett rarely knew a stranger and he had a large menagerie of friends.  Despite being a work-a-holic, he liked to have a good time and his sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.  Especially by his 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  The phone calls, cards, letters and visits Mike received during the last few months of his life were a tremendous source of happiness, peace, and comfort to him.  He was proud, strong willed and tough so he carried himself with dignity the end of his battle with COPD.

In typical Mike Bartlett fashion, there are no funeral services planned, certainly no sad farewells or long goodbyes.  A celebration of his life will occur with details to be determined later in time.  He will be sorely missed by his loved ones.