Obit: Bentzler, Harold (1925 - 2003)
Transcribed by Kipp Kippenhan

----Source: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 edition of the Tribune - Record - Gleaner

Harold Bentzler

Harold "Harry" "Gar" Bentzler, Sr. 78, Marshfield, died on Tuesday, Aug. 12., 2003, at Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Loyal. The Rev. Roman Kaiser officiated.

Harold G. Bentzler was born on June 16, 1925, in Loyal, to George and Leona (nee Schweiger) Bentzler. He was a U.S. Merchant Marine based in California in the 1940's, serving as a fireman and watertender. He sailed costal waters and to Australia. He worked in the shipyards in California, and built cars for Studebaker in South Bend, Indiana, and American Motors, Milwaukee. He later started his own welding and repair shop in Loyal. After moving to Marshfield, he drove an escort car for Marshfield Homes. He worked with AA groups in Wisconsin and Arizona.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Griesbach, Marshfield, his first wife, Jeanette Petkovsek, Greenwood; three children, Patti (Jerry) Sowls, New London, Carol (John) Trunkel, Willard, and Harry (Lori) Bentzler, Jr., Silt, Colo.; six step-children, Mike (Sally) Griesbach, Chili, Richard (Shelly) Griesbach, Marshfield, Linda Cox, Menasha, Debra (Dan) Kouene, Marinette, Donna Griesbach, Chili, and Jim (Dawn) Griesbach, Spencer; many grandchildren; one great-grandson; six brothers, LaVerne "Bud" Bentzler, Grafton, Donald (Georgianne) Bentzler, Marshfield, George "Jud" (Audrey) Bentzler, Crivitz, Eddie (Donna) Bentzler, Rochester, New Hampshire, Raymond "Tuffy" (Darlene) Bentzler, Hartford, and Kenny (Holly) Bentzler, New London; five sisters, Virginia Grutzik, Neillsville, Mary (Myron) Burkhardt, Henderson, Nev., Leona (Irban) Aumann, Loyal, Darlene (Dick) Lasch, South Bend, Ind., Kathleen (Ronnie) Froeba, Loyal, and Janet Freubrodt, Marshfield; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Strasser, Edgar, and Violet (Earl) Streveler, Edgar; two brothers-in-law, Paul Knetter, Schofield, and Marvin (Marie) Knetter, Edgar; and nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother, Jerome Bentzler; one sister in infancy, Lorraine Bentzler; five brothers-in-law, John Grutzik, Stanley Knetter, Joseph Knetter, Melvin Knetter, and Ronnie Freubrodt; two sisters-in-law, Donna Bentzler and Arlene Knetter.

Memorials May be directed to AA of Marshfield.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, assisted the family.