Albert L. Ertz

Albert L. Ertz, age 89 of Glen Haven, WI, passed away Monday, January 14, 2019 at Orchard Manor Nursing Home in rural Lancaster. He was born July 18, 1929 in Platteville, WI, the son of Albert and Mildred (Wiest) Ertz, Sr. Albert graduated from Bloomington High School in 1947. He married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis C. Ertel, on October 24, 1950 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Glen Haven. Together they farmed with Albert’s parents on the Ertz family farm in Beetown Township, where they raised hogs, beef, chickens, and milked cows. Ertzlane Farm became a century farm in 2014 and were known for their high-quality registered Holsteins. Albert was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington and an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4416. He served on the board of Farmer’s Telephone from 1961 to 1988 and served as president for over twenty-seven years. Albert was also a board member of Bloomington Farmer’s Co-op, and a Pioneer Seed Corn dealer. He was a dairy project leader for the Beetown Busy Braves 4-H Club. Albert enjoyed a good game of Euchre, bowling, square dancing with his wife Phyllis, traveling, and getting together with his family. Albert was known for his hardworking ethic and was always willing to lend a helping hand, and in later years drove for his Amish neighbors. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.

Albert is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Phyllis; their children: Roger, Dennis (Anh Nguyen), Barbara (Roger) Ploessl, Beverly (Leonard “Lenny”) Kittoe, and Randall (Brenda) Ertz; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Ertz; twelve grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; a brother, Eugene (Georgia) Ertz; three sisters: Rosanna “Rosie” (Stanley) Miles, Bernadine “Bunny” Helbing, Jane (Jack) Trumm; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Albert was preceded in death by his son, Tom; a grandson, Brandon Ketchum; two sisters in infancy; a sister, Mary (William “Zeke”) Konicheck; and a brother-in-law, Merlin Helbing.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington with Father John Meinholz officiating. Burial will be in Dodge Cemetery, Beetown Township. Family and friends may call on Thursday, January 17, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington where a 2:45 p.m. Knights of Columbus Rosary will be prayed. Friends may also call on Friday, January 18, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, an Albert L. Ertz Memorial Fund has been established. The Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory of Bloomington is assisting with his services.