Funeral services for Philip G. Bartusek of Albert Lea will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Theodore Catholic Church, 315 E. Clark St., Albert Lea. The Rev. James Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Interment will be in St. Theodore Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Theodore Catholic Church and two hours before the service at the church. There will be a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Theodore Catholic Church.
Phil died on Monday evening, Dec. 15, 2008, at his home surrounded by the love of his family and friends after a valiant battle with cancer. He was 50.
Phil was born on June 16, 1958, in New Prague, the son of Myles Frances and Jeanette (Schoenbauer) Bartusek. He attended St. Wenceslaus Elementary School and then New Prague High School. Phil went on to attend Hibbing Community College where he completed his law enforcement training.
He was united in marriage to Mary Schultz on Aug. 1, 1981. They made their home in Albert Lea and Phil served as a police officer for the city of Albert Lea for 26 years. He had served the Albert Lea community as a police lieutenant before retiring.
A very willing volunteer and community advocate, Phil had been a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church, serving on the parish council, parish finance committee and as a lector. He was a member the Elks Club, served on the YMCA Board, and was a leader and volunteered for the United Way, Cops Kicking Cancer, Marching Band Boosters, Festival of Bands, Bayside Ski Club, and several sports booster organizations. Through his police work, he also put much effort into the Smoke Free Coalition and the Combating Underage Drinking Program.
Phil was richly blessed with an amazing family. Those who survive him include: wife, Mary of Albert Lea; daughters: Erin (Dave) Streefland of Northfield and Emily Bartusek of Albert Lea; precious grandson, Maxwell Streefland; mother, Jeanette Deutsch of New Prague; his brothers: Marv (Kim) Deutsch of New Prague and Butch Deutsch of Prior Lake; sisters: Alvina (Willie) Marek of Lonsdale and Pat (Roman) Malecha of Villard; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Norbert and Margaret Schultz of New Richland; sisters-in-law: Judy Deutsch of New Prague, Lori (Doug) Meixell of Lake Crystal, Kate (Corky) Berdan of Mankato; brother-in-law, Rick (Jackie) Schultz of New Richland, and many wonderful, loving nieces and nephews, as well as aunts and uncles that have played such a special role in Phil’s life.
Phil was preceded in death by his grandparents: Frank and Anna Bartusek and E.T. and Julia Schoenbauer; his father, Myles Bartusek; stepfather, Norbert Deutsch; and brother, Ron Deutsch.
Phil was a passionate example of Live, Laugh, Love, and was an inspiration to everyone who was fortunate enough to have had him in their life!
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Philip G. Bartusek Memorial Fund.