Ervin Carl Bartz, age 93, of Shawano peacefully entered Heaven on February 11, 2024, as the Lord’s Prayer was being recited to him surrounded by his family.
Ervin was a person with a quick wit, living his life to the fullest with laughter and vitality, making friends wherever he went.
Erv grew up in Pella and was baptized and confirmed at St. James and his faith was ever present in his life. Erv enlisted in the Army in 1948 and served as a Sargent with the 24th Mechanical Calvary Infantry division in Korea and Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1952. Erv was always extremely proud of his years of service along with the many friends he made.
He married his wife Lois (Krubsack) on Feb 27th, 1954, and they enjoyed 67 years of marriage before her passing in 2021. The names Lois and Erv always went hand in hand together, and if you mentioned one, the other always followed. Erv worked at the Shawano Paper Mill for 42 1/2 years as a Millwright and apparently earned the nickname “Ringo” by his coworkers because of an inside story known only to them. He made many friends at the Mill and was considered a legend there because of the camaraderie they shared.
His full life was filled with socializing, baseball, softball, golf, bowling, pool leagues, fishing, and hunting with family and friends. His love for the Shawano Fair was well known County wide.. in fact, he loved to say “he came with Pa and went home with Ma“ so he had earned a lifetime membership from day 1! Erv loved his family deeply (children Debbie, Doug, Vicky and Don) and doted on his greatest treasures -grandchildren Jaime, Nick, Ryan, Megan, Kyle and Kersten and was affectionately known as “Papa B”. He adored his “Beeler Boys” (great grandsons Charlie, Grady and Archer Ervin) and never forgot to slip them extra money for birthdays and the fair. His great granddaughter Zöe was given an extra special bonus later in his life.
He was the real deal, the wittiest fun-loving character you could ever find, who had a kind and generous heart. Our family was left with his endless sayings (“Ervisms”) that will forever endear us to this wonderful soul. We will smile when we hear “what do all these people want here?” as well as his staple “you may go to the brook to play!” So, as we say farewell to this gem of a man, we know he’s figured out what all those people want there as he enters the brook (heaven) to play. A life well lived leaves you with more smiles than tears and “Ervine Lavine” leaves us with memories full of laughter and thankfulness that we had him in our lives for 93 years.
Ervin is survived by his children Debra (Daniel) Kamps, Vicky (Scott Bohm) Bartz , Don (Christine) Bartz, daughter in law Julie (Chuck Raasch) Bartz; grandchildren Jaime Gajewski, Nick (Liz) Bartz, Megan (Judd) Meyers, Kyle (Heather) Bartz, Kersten Bartz; great grandchildren Charlie Gajewski, Grady and Archer Bartz, Zöe Bartz; sister Dorothy (Earl) Vandenlangenberg and beloved dog Benji. He is further survived by brother/sister in laws Kenneth(Sally) Krubsack, John Krubsack, Steve(Judy) Krubsack and Karen Bartz as well as several other relatives, nieces, nephews and friends.
Ervin was preceded in death by his wife Lois, his son Douglas, grandson Ryan, siblings Dennis Bartz and Mae Berndt.
A funeral service for Erv will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday February 17, 2024, at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Visitation will be held at the church at 9:30 am on Saturday until the time of service. Military honors will be conducted at the church following services. Burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the care provided by Shawano Place Assisted Living for their kindness while Erv was a resident. A special thank you to Hilary of Moments Hospice.
Swedberg Funeral Home of Shawano is assisting Erv’s family with the arrangements.
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