Kimberly Bartels

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting --

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things.

– Mary Oliver, from “Wild Geese”

Kimberly Bartels, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, died suddenly on September 30, 2026, of a pulmonary embolism. She was 55.

In her inimitable style and with her magnetic energy, Kimberly announced her place in the family of so many things: she was a beloved daughter and sister, adoring Aunt Kimmy, big hearted friend to so many, proud Longhorn, and devoted teacher and educator. Kimberly was also a member of the family of all of humankind – she was a never-ending learner, a voracious reader, and an adventurous traveler, always curious about the world, poetry, art, culture, and history. Guided by her strong faith, Kimberly was a fierce and vocal advocate for the causes she believed in: equal rights for all, animal protection, and the ideals of justice and democracy.

Throughout her career, Kimberly nurtured the educational paths of hundreds of students through her teaching in public and private middle and high schools, and in academic services in community colleges. She was also an active volunteer supporting girls’ empowerment and mentoring students in under-resourced schools.

Kimberly was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Wanda Bartels. She is survived by her loving siblings and their spouses: Stacy Alley (Roland), Wade Bartels (Mary Lynn), Tirza Bartels (Brent Newton) and Paige Bartels (Nicole Mellow). Kimberly is also survived by her nieces and nephews, about whom she often said “they have my whole heart”: Truman and Jenna, Cameron and Jourdan, Anna and Georgia, and Rafael and Luca.

With broken hearts, we will most remember Kimberly’s kindness, generosity, and supportiveness; her sparkling smile, wicked humor, and infectious laugh; and her passion for telling a good, long story. Perhaps most of all, we will miss Kimberly’s genuine and abiding hope for the happiness of all those she loved.

A private family memorial will take place this fall. More information will be forthcoming about a celebration of Kimberly’s life in spring 2027. For those who wish to honor Kimberly’s memory, the family invites donations to be made in her name to Austin Pets Alive, where she met her constant companion, Stretch.

Memorial gift link here; https://donate.austinpetsalive.org/give/420815#!/donation/checkout