Richard 'Luke' Bartlett of Anton was born Dec 21, 1926 to Addison Albert and Clara Belle (Titus) Bartlett in Stafford, KS. He peacefully passed on home to his Savior Sept 29, 2015 at Sunset Manor in Brush at the age of 88 years, 9 months and 8 days. His loving wife Wilda was by his side. Luke was the 7th of 12 children, who were Douglas, twin siblings, Donald (Bill), Darlene, Mary (Isabel), 'Luke', Glenn, James, Marion (Brad), Corrine and Benny. Following an enjoyable childhood with his siblings on the farm, Luke graduated from Stafford High School in 1944. The following year he was drafted into the US Army, inducted at Fort Leavenworth, KS, and received basic training at Camp Roberts, CA and Midway. By a strange coincidence, he briefly encountered another young draftee at the camp by the name of Verdis Rambat. Unknown to them both, Verdis would become Wilda's husband, and following his death, Luke and Wilda would one day marry. Luke was transferred to the Aleutian Islands in Cold Bay, AL. He was honorably discharged in 1947 at Great Falls, MT, having achieved the rank of T-5 Corporal. After receiving an AA degree in Engineering from Hutchinson (KS) Junior College in 1949, Luke became a lineman for Mountain Bell phone company, eventually known as US West. Later in his career, as an Engineer, he taught engineering within the company, retiring in 1983. At his retirement party, he was given a Life Membership in the Telephone Pioneers of America, or as a co-worker jokingly remarked, 'the Grand Royal Order of Network Buzzards'! Feb 20, 1953 Luke married Lois Louise Jantz in Dodge City, KS. Shortly after, Luke accepted Jesus as his Savior, maintaining his beliefs and love for Jesus until his death.. To this union, 2 children were born and raised: Richard Douglas (Doug) in 1955 and Marcia Renea in 1961. Luke and Lois were also foster parents during their early marriage. When Doug was small, he remembers his father strapping him on his back and climbing up the telephone pole, while his mother protested that Luke bring him back. The family moved to Denver in 1970. Activities they enjoyed were camping and hiking in the mountains and Luke hunted deer. One day Luke arrived at the house on an Indian motorcycle, saying “Sure I can drive it!” Despite Lois' protests, he drove across several lawns, knocking over trash cans! The next day the bike was gone! The family was saddened by Lois' passing in Dec of 1986. While attending a dance in Denver in 1994, another activity Luke greatly enjoyed, he was 'smitten' by Wilda Rambat (and she by him) when they shared their first dance! On all his cards to Wilda for the rest of his life, Luke wrote, “I'm still smitten!” 'The Keeper of the Stars' joined these two hearts in marriage Nov 2, 1996. Their wedding was a wonderful joyous event, including a dance reception, where family and friends served as attendants, ushers etc. After living a few months in Luke's apartment in Wheat Ridge, they moved permanently to Wilda's farm home in Anton. Luke was a 'treasured' addition to the Rambat family and was well-loved! He was always ready to lend-a-hand and do anything he could to help out. He was a 'handy-man,' enjoying carpentry, physical activity, taking walks and decorating for Christmas holidays. Luke 'never knew a stranger' and loved conversation with anyone and everyone! He was not faint-hearted and was 'game' for almost anything. He loved life, church worship, singing (especially to praise his Lord), dancing, family, eating and kids, especially his children and grandchildren. Luke and Wilda made many special memories together: attending dances (often twice a week) and traveling (sometimes with Wilda's sister Leota and various grandchildren in their turn). The grandchildren really enjoyed their time with 'Papa'! They took pony rides on his back, holding onto his suspenders, and he pulled their sleds through the snow. They were thrilled when Grandpa Luke jumped with them on the trampoline-even doing flips! Luke stayed with Wilda until declining health forced him to reside at Sunset Manor in Brush from Jan 2015 until his passing. Preceding him in death were his parents, all but 2 siblings, wife Lois, son Randy Rambat and several in-laws. Those left to cherish his memory are: his devoted wife Wilda of the home; son Doug (& Paula) Bartlett of Shakopee, MN, daughter Marcia Beavers of Bennett; daughter Sherry Rambat of Greeley, son Monty (&Joy) Rambat of Anton; brothers Bill of Wichita, KS and Brad (& Lavonne) of Ohio; sisters-in-law Mary of CA and Mary of FL; brothers-in-law Melvin (& Helen) Hicks and Horace (& Mildred) Hicks of Denver; sisters-in-law Leota Huff of Commerce City and Marlene (& Lowell) Chadwick of Oshkosh, NE. Luke is survived by 10 grandchildren: Erika Bartlett of WA, Addison Bartlett of Cottage Grove, MN, Aubrey Bartlett of Fargo, ND; Ryan (& Desiree) Beavers of FL, Michael Beavers of Denver; Aimee (& Arron) Hofmeister of Indianapolis, IN; Heather (& Rich) Schafer of Wray, Michael (& Samantha) Rambat of Brighton, Holly Ray of Colorado Springs; and Amanda Rambat of Greeley. Also remaining are 16 great-grandchildren: Emily Rose and Caleb Beavers of FL; Colton McCaffrey, Meranda Schroeder and Brandon Crafton of Indianapolis, IN; Adrianna of NE, Riley and Reese Hofmeister of Yuma; Dalton Schafer of Grand Junction, Bryce and Carter Schafer of Wray; Julian Cordova of Fort Collins, Sabrea Helzer and Jaidan Rambat of Greeley; Kaden and Logan Rambat of Brighton; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Memorial services were held at Country Baptist Chapel Mon Oct 5 at 2 pm. Honorary pallbearers were Verle Riemenschneider and Dwayne Bowers of Lindon, Vaughn Axtell of Anton, Joe Hunter of Wheat Ridge, and all Luke's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Inurnment, with military honors, will be a private family affair at a later date at the Akron Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to the family at PO Box 27, Anton, CO 80801 or in Luke's memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.