Walter Bartz

Walter "Bud" Bartz, age 84, of N9251 W. Kraft Road, Tomahawk, passed away Saturday, August 2, 2014 at his home under the care of Ministry Home Health and Hospice. Bud was born June 30, 1930 in Tomahawk to the late Irvin and Laura (Bishop) Bartz. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Wisconsin during the Korean War. On July 23, 1955, Bud married the love of his life, Barbara Freuen. He worked for several years in Milwaukee before relocating to Wausau where he was employed for 30 years with Green Bay Packaging-Wausau division. Bud was a loving husband to Barb (affectionately called Gemmy, since she was his gem) and devoted dad to his children, Charlene Schmidt and Wally (Deb) Bartz. He enjoyed his life and was a man of basic earthy fulfillment. He tended his garden with care, raised pheasants and veal, nurtured his black walnut trees, cared for his horses, became friends with deer in his backyard, and was an avid aluminum can collector. Following retirement he and Barb enjoyed each other's company fishing on the Spirit, traveling Wisconsin to find waterfalls, and occasionally visiting casinos where Bud did more people watching than gambling. His passion in life was his children. He and his son, Wally "Snapper", spent uncountable hours fishing, hunting, and chattering about their successes and the ones that got away. He and his daughter competed in horseshows for many years in central and northern Wisconsin, winning many trophies and ribbons but never losing sight of the basic values of loving, caring and enjoying their equines. Bud was so very patient and kind, soft-spoken and quiet, hardworking and determined. He was truly loved and will be missed by so many. In addition to his wife and two children, Bud is also survived by 5 Granddaughters, Traci (Scott) Parlier, Stephani (Chris Hayes) Schmidt, McKenzie (Mike) Jabs, Cassie (Chris) O'Hara, and Brittani Schmidt, and 7 great grandchildren, Brianne, Hailey, and Landon Parlier, Alessandra and Niko Hayes, Addison Jams, and Autumn O'Hara. He is further survived by a brother, Ronald (Sharon) Bartz of Pennsylvania, a sister, Lynn (Ron) Zimmerman, of Tomahawk, and many nieces and nephews. Bud was preceded in death by his parents and 3 Brothers, Irvie, Roger, and Fritz. Memorial Services with Military rites for Bud Bartz will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at 12:00 noon, from the Krueger Family Funeral Home. The Bartz family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at noon.