Bartlett Jay Krebs

Bartlett Jay Krebs (Bart) beloved dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, friend and teacher passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2019 with his two daughters present.  Bart was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018.

Bart was born to Herald and Alta Krebs on March 1, 1942 in New Underwood, South Dakota, the 8th of  9 children.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings:  Mervyn Krebs, Yvonne Henthorne, Evelyn Warren, Leland Krebs and Zelda VanOurKerk.  He is survived by 3 brothers:  Douglas (Gloria); Donald (Shirley) and George (Alice) and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He is also survived by his 2 daughters Kristina (Fred) Roebke, grandchildren William and Lydia and Amy (Chris) Stacey and granddaughter Lauren.

Bart grew up in the small town of Quinn, South Dakota where he graduated from Quinn High School in 1960.  He first attended South Dakota School of Mines & Technology to study engineering until a car accident and health issues required him to change his major to education.  He then attended the University of Northern Colorado.  He alternated between attending college and working to pay for his education.  He worked hard on the railroad, South Dakota missile sites and ran heavy equipment which the bulldozer was his favorite.  Bart finally received his teaching degree from Black Hills State University with an emphasis in industrial arts in 1966.  He was the only one of his family to attend college and he was very proud of his achievement. Bart married Mary Lou McKay shortly after graduating from college.  They settled in Tacoma, Washington to pursue their teaching positions and raised their 2 daughters.  Bart taught wood shop at Gault Junior High and Wilson High School. He also taught driver's education at Wilson while teaching wood shop.  He taught auto mechanics for a few years before retiring in 1996 after 30 years of teaching. 

Bart loved his entire family. He kept in touch with his siblings and enjoyed yearly visits to South Dakota and going to the Krebs' family reunions.  He loved exploring/climbing the S.D. Badlands, rock hunting, visiting Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills. He also enjoyed traveling the country with his family.  Bart's pride and joy in life was being a part of his daughter's and grandchildren's lives.  His passions were:  woodworking (making furniture and carvings), jewelry making, cake decorating, the love of dancing (two-step and polka), his garden and working in his yard, cooking, inventing, working on cars and antiquing.  Bart loved spending time at the Puyallup Fair and Mt. Rainer with his family.

Bart was one of a kind.  He was a spirited, fun loving, full of life character who had the best smile and had a heart of gold.  He was always a caring, loving, doting, giving and hands on dad and grandpa who made many people feel warmth and happiness.  He always said hello and blessed everyone, his smile was infectious, he was eager to help lend a hand, made people laugh, was a jokester and a man of faith.  He was such a fun person to be around and will be dearly missed by many.

There will be a memorial service on Sunday, November 24 at the Pioneer Park Pavilion, 330 S. Meridian, Puyallup, WA at 2:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life until 5:00 p.m.  Donations may be made to Tacoma Rescue Mission, 425 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA, 98402 (or a mission of your choice) and El Shaddai Ministries, P.O. Box 2008, Sumner, WA 98390 Attn: Tony.  If you are sending flowers, please contact Buds & Blooms, 324 S. Meridian, Puyallup, WA (253-848-8957). Bart’s obituary is available to view at Hill Funeral Home https/hillfhpuyallup.com/

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
E Mail: ads@pioneer-review.com

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