Dolly Bartholomew

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Dolly Bartholomew, a wonderful lady that spent her life being Christ's hands, joined those that have gone before her on July 29, 2008, in Federal Way, Wash., from a stroke eight days earlier. Christ's love is often only seen as it shines through his followers, and for many, she was Christ's love in action. She had an amazing amount of energy and willingness to fill in wherever God needed her to be. In her short stay here on Earth, she was a foster mother to many both here and abroad, Cub Scout leader, she was instrumental in starting the feeding program through Associated Ministries and Olympia First Baptist Church. She was actively in too many ministry programs to mention them all, and was always ready to volunteer for the next project.

Born on Sept. 16, 1929, as Emma Helen Schultz to Harry and Ruth Schultz in what is now Wisconsin Dells, she was the first of seven children. She resided in Baraboo through high school. It was there that she met Clyde (Bart) Bartholomew. They were wed on Feb. 14, 1946, and soon there after moved to California. They and their three children briefly moved back to Wisconsin before moving to Olympia in 1964. She had been living at The Firs in Lacey for four years before moving to Woodmark in Federal Way last winter.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; daughter, Linda Vestal of Olympia; and her brothers, Harry and Arthur, both of Baraboo.

She is survived by her son, Larry of Olympia; daughter, Karen Bell of Federal Way; brother, Ralph of Texas; sisters, Ruth Topham of Baraboo, Alice Seiler of Portage, and Sharon Johnston of Reedsburg; grandchildren, Brian and Jason Vestal and April and Amber Bartholomew; great-grandchildren, Brittney, Ally, Josiah, Bella, Travis and Parker.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

Memorial services were held in Olympia, Wash., on Aug. 23, 2008, at the First Baptist Church.