Brandon Tyler Bartels passed away suddenly on March 30, 2021, in Estacada, Oregon, after struggling with depression for several months. He will be remembered and deeply missed by his heartbroken family, friends, and fellow students, who know that he was not defined by his illness, but only succumbed to it.
Brandon was born in Portland on May 15, 2000, his parents John Bartels and Jean Niiranen’s beautiful boy. He was a 2018 graduate of David Douglas High School with a focus on mathematics, and where he also played baseball. Brandon excelled at his studies, made many friends, and was well-respected by teachers and staff. At the time of his passing, he was a junior at Portland State University, where he had begun his studies as a Math major before changing to Economics this year, having also taken a strong interest in music. In fact, he had begun creating beats and had entered into a business venture to sell them and try his hand at music production.
Brandon always enjoyed the outdoors, and was particularly happy as a student in downtown Portland and riding his bike and skateboard along the waterfront. He also loved the beach and going trail riding and hiking at the coast. Brandon liked to draw, and was a good cook (although maybe not such a good kitchen cleaner after the cooking). He was a past member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Brandon was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Nilo and Dorothy Niiranen, and by an uncle, Brian Niiranen.
He is survived by his parents, John Bartels and Jean Niiranen,
his sister Brooke Bartels (with whom he was particularly close),
paternal grandparents, Arthur and Valerie Bartels,
several aunts and uncles,
Linda Presley and husband David, Richard Niiranen and wife Sonya, Ray Niiranen, Helen Hiiranen, Chris Bartels, Joe Bartels, and Dan Bartels, Carol Morton and husband Randy, David Bartels and wife Darlene, Sam Bartels and wife Lesa, Tom Bartels, and Debbie Bartels, and by numerous cousins.
A memorial celebration of Brandon's life will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 11am at Lincoln Memorial Park & Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations in his name to either the National Alliance on Mental Illness or to a charity of support for mental health of the donor's choice.
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