Tonya Louise Bartels was born on May 19, 1964, in McCook, NE; to Kenneth and Peggy (Sedam) Tomlin and passed away on June 13, 2015, in Lincoln, NE; at Bryan West after a sudden illness at the age of 51 years and 25 days. Tonya grew up in various places in Nebraska and Colorado while her parents traveled for work. She attended school in Indianola, NE. After her education she began working was a waitress in cafe's in McCook, Hastings and Lincoln. On May 31, 1985, Tonya married Brian Bartels in Lincoln, NE; to this five children were born. The couple lived in Milford for several years while their children attended and graduated from school. They moved to Seward in 2010. Tonya's children and grandchildren were her passion. There were many days she would put her own pain aside to care for her grandchildren. Tonya's heart was huge and if you would ask her how many children she had, she would say "25 and counting". She was a mother to everyone. To know Tonya is to know true kindness. She will be dearly missed by many family and friends. Tonya was preceded in death by a sister Tina Tomlin. She is survived by her husband, Brian of Seward, five children; Tasha Danekas and husband Ryan of Seward, Tracy Luly and husband Bryan of Lincoln, Tiffany Wettlaufer and husband Teddy of Lincoln, Brandon Bartels and wife Whitney of Seward, and Tina Bartels of Lincoln, her parents, Kenneth and Peggy Tomlin, five grandchildren, Kennedi, Breckin, Danica, Turner and Gavin, four siblings, Terry Tomlin of Lincoln, Tim Tomlin of Denver, CO; Tammy Sides of Bartley, NE; and Tricia Bishop of Papillion, NE. Also surviving is her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ron and Linda Bartels of Inavale, NE; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Pam and Tim Johnson of Upland, NE; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Erin and Tony Huber of Sutton, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the Lied Senior Center, Seward, NE. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bartels family C/O 825 South Street, Seward, NE; 68434.