Lorraine Anita Bartz, 85, of Shawano, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on April 13, 1927, in Iola, she was the daughter of the late Lorren and Cecelia (Nelson) Olson. Lorraine graduated from Shawano High School in 1946 and, in the early years following graduation, worked at Schultz Bros. Department Store, Lauermans, Thorsens and Badger Breeders, all of Shawano. On June 12, 1954, she was united in marriage to Willard Bartz. The couple eloped to Deerbrook in Antigo, where the couple was married at the St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. After marriage, Willard brought his new bride home to the family farm in the town of Richmond where they raised a happy family and were blessed with two children. Lorraine loved to spend time visiting and sharing coffee with her lady friends. She loved to take rides with her family and spend as much time as she could with her children, grandchildren and her one great-grandchild, Collin. Her face would light up the room whenever he would come to see her. Lorraine was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Stony Hill, in the town of Richmond and was an active member of the Ladies Aid LWML. Lorraine had a warm heart that was felt by many and she will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
Lorraine is survived by her son, Jan (Gail) Bartz, of Shawano; her daughter, Audrey (Ron) Olson, of Shawano; four grandchildren, Jason Bartz, Kevin (fiancé, Jen Trelka) Bartz, Scott (Jenny) Olson, Lisa (fiancé, Chris Lechterman) Olson; her great-grandchild, Collin Olson; a brother, Eugene (Mary) Olson, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friends, Jane Mehlhorn and Marlene Kroenke.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Willard, on Oct. 8, 2003; her parents; her twin sister, Lucille; brothers-in-law, Roy Bartz and John Bartz Sr.; and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Rintelman, Isabelle Moede and Doris Lemhouse.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Stony Hill, in the town of Richmond with the Rev. John C. Eyer officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 12 p.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Stony Hill.
Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements.
The family would like to thank the staff at Maple Lane Health Care for all the compassionate care given to Lorraine over the last year.
