Wade Thomas Bartels, 8, passed away on September 15, 2026, after a strongly fought and courageous battle with a congenital heart defect. He was born May 12, 2018, in Kansas City, MO, to Brian and Chelsea (Wilson) Bartels.
Wade was a third-grade student at Chase County Elementary School. Wade was a strong, kindhearted and happy go lucky child that wore his heart on his sleeve and cared deeply for his friends and family. Once you became his friend, you were a friend for life. Wade’s favorite hobby was camping. He loved everything about camping except touching the fish he caught. His favorite foods were crispy bacon, French fries with ketchup and chocolate ice cream. He was brilliant at the memory card game and would beat anyone he played against. Wade enjoyed being outdoors, going on adventures, riding in the side by side, practicing rodeo roping, playing with trucks and trailers and basketball against his dad. Wade loved being a big brother to the twins, Riggs and Lane. His favorite holiday was Christmas, just like his mama’s. He loved everything about it from the Christmas music, decorating, present wrapping and baking all the goodies. Wade was an amazing child who didn’t let anything stop him and he was so strong until the very end with no complaints.
Wade is survived by: his parents, Brian and Chelsea of the home; brothers, Riggs and Lane of the home; maternal grandma, Donna Rausch and husband John; paternal grandparents, Tom and Twila Bartels; aunts and uncles, Jacob Wilson and wife Linda, Christin Bartels Mulroy and husband Jonny, Lisa Zane and husband Kevin; cousins, Chet Wilson, Bennett and Calvin Zane; great grandma, Phyllis Bartels and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandpa, Richard Wilson.
Celebration of Wade’s life will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Chase County Jr./Sr. High School, Cottonwood Falls. Friends may stop by the funeral home to sign his book from 3-7 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2026, at Brown-Bennett- Alexander Funeral Home, Cottonwood Falls, family will not be present. Memorial donations may be made to Wade Strong Foundation, in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home PO Box 220 Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845. To help celebrate Wade’s life, please wear your Wade Strong shirt, purple for K-State, Chiefs, or Western attire. Chase County friends and family will always be “Wade Strong”!