Marian Carlotta Bartorelli Gottschalk passed away peacefully at home on April 10, 2026, with her family by her side.
Born March 26, 1944, in Elko, Nevada to Tedo and Josephine Bartorelli, the second of three girls. Her father had hopes of her being a boy, so she went by Mike as a child. She started school in Elko and later moved to Battle Mountain when the Bartorelli family took over the Saval Ranch. Summers were spent with her sisters Casey and Dorothy caring for cousins. Mike became Mikie after meeting the love of her life at UNR – Mike Gottschalk. The couple married in August 1966 in Battle Mountain before finishing their degrees.
Mike’s stint in the Navy took them to Rhode Island for officer candidate school, then to California where Mike boarded the USS Hancock. Mikie’s trip to Hong Kong for a visit, brought home the start of their family, as Mikie was pregnant. Kirsten Ann was born in 1969 and son Joseph Robert in 1974. Mikie never wanted to farm or ranch, however she and Mike made the farm in Lower Valley home for their nearly 60-year marriage. Mikie was active in her community-cowbells (now Cattlewomen), St. Agnes Altar Society, Pershing County 4-H and was the best room mother ever. She was famous for her giant sugar cookies made from cookie cutters by Mike. Cooking and baking were her joy. She loved to feed people and could throw a meal together for 2 or 20 or more with amazing finesse. Christmas time was always a baking extraordinaire, with up to 50 different types of cookies. Her pie crust was exceptional. She baked goodies for each generations of kids and became a super team Grandma for her grandkids sporting events. She was her kids’ biggest supporter.
Mikie was preceded in death by her parents, Tedo and Josephine Bartorelli, sister and brother-in-law Casey and Mike Dewitt, grandsons Bryce Gottschalk and Jaret Hertz. She is survived by her husband Mike, daughter Kirsten (Tony Hertz), son Joey (Connie) Gottschalk, grandchildren Madison, McKenna (Payton) Hertz, Sean (Anika) Gottschalk, bonus grandchildren Axel Gonzalez, Joaquin (Katie) Wanner, and great grandson Thomas.
Mikie’s warmth, generosity, and love for her family and community will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, laughter, and the simple joy of bringing people together—often around her table.
Though she is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in the traditions she created, the meals she shared, and the love she gave so freely.
She will be forever remembered and always loved.
Donations in memory of Mikie may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Shriners.
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