Vonita "Vonnie" Claire Bartlebaugh

Vonita “Vonnie” Claire Bartlebaugh (October 11, 1932 – October 17, 2024)

Vonnie passed away peacefully at her home on October 17th, 2024, having spent her final days surrounded by her family and close friends.

Vonnie was born in the small Swedish farming town of Wausa, Nebraska on October 11th, 1932 to Clarence & Evodia Seagren. After high school graduation, Vonnie spent a brief time in Sioux City, Iowa where the farm girl decided to relocate to a bigger city with a warmer climate. Her parents agreed she could go live with her Aunt Fern & Uncle Pete Berg in Oakland, California.

Vonnie soon met the love of her life, Carl “Bud” Bartlebaugh, while volunteering at the U.S.O. in Oakland. After being set up with one another by the Director of the U.S.O., Bud asked Vonnie to play ping-pong. Vonnie did not want to as she was not a very good ping-pong player, so Bud offered to play left-handed. After beating Vonnie, Bud cheekily confessed he was left-handed. The rest was history. After a short courtship, Bud brought Vonnie to meet his parents in Salinas prior to a deployment with the U.S. Navy. He had intentions of proposing to Vonnie upon his return, but his mom insisted that he propose before he left.

The two were married a short time later on May 28, 1954 in Vonnie’s hometown of Wausa, Nebraska. After spending a short time as newlyweds living in Santa Clara and Salinas, the couple found property to build their home in Corralitos around 1960. Vonnie and Bud would go on to raise their family and live the rest of their lives in this treasured home.

Vonnie and Bud both loved children. Between 1955 and 1968, the couple had 8 children and gave them all names starting with the letter “K”.

While living in the Watsonville area, Vonnie and Bud became active members of the Lutheran Community Church. During this time, Vonnie met lifelong friend Barbara Davis (and her husband Norm and daughter Kate) who she loved dearly. Vonnie also helped start Community Interplay Preschool with the minister’s wife, Mary Clutz, and other fellow teachers. She cherished her time with the children, and eventually the school branched out into teaching elementary grades.

Everyone who knew Vonnie knew she had multiple talents and passions. Besides her love for children, she was passionate about sewing, gardening, baking, and animals. She supported her kids through 4H where they raised animals for the Santa Cruz County Fair, in addition to helping teach the Sewing and Cooking projects over the years.

In her retirement years, Vonnie became an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Aptos. She loved her church family, even though she was not able to attend as regularly in her latter years.

Vonnie was preceded in death by her husband Bud, sons Kevin and Kenneth, brother DeMahr Seagren, sister-in-law Margaret Seagren, parents Clarence and Evodia Seagren, and in-laws Carl and Myrtle Bartlebaugh.

She is survived by her six children, James “Kim” Bartlebaugh, Kyle Bartlebaugh, Kris Bartlebaugh (Bonnie), Kelly Bartlebaugh, Kendall Bartlebaugh (Cynthia), and Katie Azevedo, nine grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Vonnie also leaves behind many other beloved family members and friends.

Vonnie (Mom, Wife, Grandma, Great Grandma, Friend) will live in our hearts forever. She leaves behind a lasting legacy and impressed upon all who knew her kindness, genuineness, and her caring spirit. We are grateful that she did not suffer in pain and can only imagine the joy she must have to be dancing with Bud in Heaven after being apart for 40 years.

We love you!

A Celebration of Life will take place on November 9th at 2:00pm at Christ Lutheran Church in Aptos. In lieu of flowers, Vonnie asked that donations to be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.