Nathan Leslie Bartz

Nathan came into this world six weeks early at Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma, Washington on June 24, 1978. He went to grade school at Swan River School in Bigfork, then into Flathead High School, graduating in 1997. He went to Trapping Creek Job Corp that fall. The next summer he fought fires with his Trapper Creek crew.

He was a team leader and loved every minute of his days at Job Corp. The winter after he fought fires with his Trapper Creek crew, he signed up to join the Army and went to Butte for a physical and there they found that he had issues with his kidneys. He came home after that and was diagnosed with FSGS. He went on for five years without medical intervention but with meds, then started his nine years of dialysis.

He went went back to Job Corp after being diagnosed and graduating with a degree in Forestry in 2000. In May of 2013, he was given a gift of life with a kidney transplant. He had a healthy 10 years where he worked at Arby's, Cabela's and Home Depot. He enjoyed all the jobs and was good at them. He loved his co-workers like family. He also loved fishing, especially ice fishing with his niece, Josie Melton. He loved to make people laugh with his jokes. He always had a smile on his face and never complained about his experiences with his health problems. He was always brave and faced everything with grace and kindness towards his doctors and nurses.

Nathan is survived by his mother and stepfather, Dawn and Dan Jacobson, Polebridge. Father Briar K Bartz and wife Cindy, Billings, Montana. Aaron Bartz and wife Maria, niece Luca and nephew Elio. Eric Bartz, Great Falls, Montana. Mike Melton, Bigfork, Montana. Brother Thane Melton and wife Nawnie, niece Josie and nephew Pierce, Kalispell, Montana. Garrett Melton and wife Liz, nephews Joshua and Connor, Bigfork, Montana. Uncle Chad Olsen and wife Kristi, Antelope, Montana. Cousins Erin, and Dell and husband Zaniel, Plentywood, Montana. Alexa Franks and husband Matt, Plentywood, Montana. Ashley Olsen Spinner and husband David. Taylor Olson, Antelope Montana. Stepbrother Andrew Erickson and wife Theresa, Lewistown, Montana. Trevor Erickson, Missoula, Montana. Stepbrother Andrew Jacobson and wife Kayla, nephew Levi and niece Noelle, Whitefish, Montana. Tyler Jacobson and wife Emily, Wrightwood, California and numerous other cousins and extended family.

Memorial for Nathan will be help in Columbia Falls at the Masonic Temple, April 13, 2024 at 1 pm across from Smiths. All are invited to celebrate Nathans life.