BARTEL, Lynda Elanor, Sgt (Ret’d), CD, MSE Op, RCAF, RCLS
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing on 3 April 2025 of Lynda Eleanor Bartel, at the age of 73 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Lynda was predeceased by her son, Andrew Peters of Vanderhoof, BC. She will be lovingly remembered by her son, Jamie Bartel; her daughter-in-law Julie Peters; her son Warren Picton (Sonia); her granddaughters Tanja Saario (Logan), Chelsea Wiens (Ross), and Avery Picton; her grandson Robert Peters (Rachel); great-grandsons Jacob, Daryl, Luke, Duncan, Noah, Liam and David, and her great-granddaughters Mila and Audrey. She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends.
Lynda was born in Neepawa, MB, and grew up in Gladstone, MB. She and Jamie moved to Ottawa, ON in 1977, and Lynda joined the Air Force. She served proudly from 1977 to 2011. Her first posting was to Winnipeg, MB as a Mobile Support Equipment Operator. She operated staff cars, buses, tractor-trailers, heavy equipment such as snowplows and snow blowers, and aircraft refueling equipment. She was posted to Ottawa, ON in 1986 where she worked as a driver in General Purpose Vehicles and Heavy Cargo, and as a dispatcher. She also worked as an assistant to the Career Managers at National Defense Headquarters. While in Ottawa, Lynda was selected for a peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights, Israel with the United Nations Disengagement Observation Force. She was deployed from June to December 1990, and they were only the second draft to include women. She was promoted to Master Corporal in early 1991. In 1991 she was posted to CFB Winnipeg, MB where she retired from the Regular Force in 1996. She then joined the Reserves and was promoted to Sergeant in 2008. She was employed at 1 Canadian Air Division as Assistant to the Air Force Fleet manager. She retired from service at the age of 60 in 2011.
After retiring from the Air Force, Lynda went on to work at a chiropractic office. In her retirement Lynda enjoyed many outings with friends, from going to Celebrations, going to Dancing on the Avenue, going to see a play, and especially enjoying the company of friends at Silver Heights Restaurant on Thursdays. Lynda loved to dress up for formal events and she was an avid reader.
Any time Jamie came to visit, Lynda was happy to have the company, and she loved taking him to different places around the city.
One of the highlights of her retirement was when she went to BC to see her grandkids and her great grandsons. Her great granddaughter hadn’t come along yet, but she got to meet her this spring.
Lynda was a member of the Charleswood Legion and a member of the Peacekeepers’ Association. She was also a member of the Royal Military Institute of Manitoba and the Joint Veterans Association. She was very proud of her service, as are her friends and family.
As per Lynda’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
A Celebration of Life was held on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Anavets #283 at 3584 Portage Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Lynda’s name to Cancer Care Manitoba or the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research.