Kenneth J. Ertl, Auburndale, passed away on his 82nd birthday on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at his home in Auburndale, with his family at his side.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Auburndale, where the family will receive relatives and friends from 9:00 am until service time. The service will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes. Rev. Murali Rayappan will officiate. Private family burial will be in the parish cemetery at a later date. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Kenneth was born on February 12, 1940 in Marshfield, to John and Loretta (Pankratz) Ertl, and was a 1958 graduate of Auburndale High School. He married Jeanne (Sandra) Willfahrt on August 14, 1965 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Auburndale.
Kenny served in the United States Army from 1962 until his honorable discharge in 1964. Following his service, Kenny worked for 38 years at Consolidated Papers in Wisconsin Rapids. While working full-time, Kenny and his wife Jeanne owned and operated a dairy farm and raised their four children. After 43 years of farming, he and Jeanne retired, sold their farm to their son, Roger, and built a new home in Auburndale.
During retirement, Kenny enjoyed helping Roger on the farm and running end loader for his son, Jeff. Many family members considered him a master fixer and sought his advice often.
Kenny’s grandchildren were very special to him. He passed on his favorite hobbies that included playing cards, especially sheephead, and putting puzzles together. Polka music was another favorite of his. He played many instruments including concertina, piano accordion, button accordion and trumpet.
Ken is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jeanne and their children, Jeff (Teresa) Ertl of Auburndale, Karen Isaacson of Hewitt, Debbie (Brad) Gregor of New Prague, MN, and Roger (Jodi) Ertl of Auburndale. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren. He is further survived by two sisters, Rose Mary (Lawrence) Dieringer and Alice (Paul) Baltus, all of Marshfield.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant granddaughter, Samantha Isaacson, a son-in-law, Michael Isaacson, a brother, Harold Ertl, parents-in-law, Richard and Gertrude Willfahrt, brothers-in-law, Richard, Jr. and Fred Willfahrt and brother-in-law and close friend, Glen Willfahrt.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Ascension at Home Hospice for their kind and loving care.
The family will designate a memorial at a later date.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.
