Obit: Artz, Buddie #2 (1920 - 2007)

Contact:  Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: ARTZ HAINES SCHAEFER STIKA TAPLIN WILDING

----Sources: Loyal TRG 21 March 2007

Artz, Buddie #2 (14 NOV 1920 - 17 MAR 2007)

Buddie "Gene" Artz, 86, Loyal, died on Saturday, March 17, 2007, at the House of Dove, Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, March 20, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Loyal. The Rev. Kauser officiated. Military rites were performed by the Loyal American Legion Post # 175.

Buddie Artz was born on Nov. 14, 1920, to Flossie (nee Haines) and Fred Artz in Florence, Kan. As a young boy, he moved with his family to western Iowa. After graduating from Kingsley Iowa High School, he enrolled at the Lincoln Nebraska Flying School to study aviation mechanics. In 1940, he was employed by Curtiss-Wright Aircraft, in Buffalo, N.Y., in the airplane plant. In November1941, a group from the plant, including Gene, was sent to Iran for a year as part of the Lend Lease Program between the United States and Russia during World War ll. Airplane parts were shipped to Iran, where the group assembled and readied the planes for combat for Russia. In October 1943, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, trained at Paris Island, S.C., and Santa Barbara, Calif., and then was assigned to Marine Air Group Squadron on the aircraft carrier, the USS Gilbert Island. He repaired and readied the planes involved in air strikes, against the enemy at Okinawa, Borneo and Japan. After his military service in 1946, he returned to Kingsley, Iowa, where he was employed as a John Deere mechanic. On April 25, 1949, he married Margaret Welter at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Kingsley. They farmed near Kingsley until 1958, when they purchased a farm in Loyal, where they raised their family. After retiring from the farm in 1990, he and Margaret moved to Loyal. They spent several winters in Mesa, Ariz. He always kept busy driving tractor for a farmer friend, woodworking, and wood carving. He enjoyed his family, camping trips, and football, especially the Green Bay Packers. He entered Continental Manor, Abbotsford, in April 2005. He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Loyal, and a member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Lady of Fatima Council #4963. He was very involved in activities with the youth, serving as Cub Scout Master, 4-H project leader, and hunting safety instructor. He was instrumental in establishing the Clark County 4-H Carcass Show. He served on the Loyal School Board, 4-H Leaders Federation and Clark County Fair Board, serving terms as president of the federation and fair board. He was a former member of the Loyal FFA Alumni. He was a member of VFW Post # 2241, Neillsville, and a member of the Loyal American Legion Post# 175, Loyal, having served as oratorical chairman for 20 years and one year as the state oratorical chairman. He was very proud of the four state winners from Loyal High School.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret, Loyal; his children, William (Elis) Artz, Urbana, Ill, and their children Mary and Michael, Roman (Laure) Artz, LaCrosse, and their daughters Alanna and Caitlin, Michael (Linda) Artz, Oshkosh, and their children Laura and David Schaefer, Mary Artz, Chippewa Falls, Gerald )Lori) Artz, Chippewa Falls, and their children Garrick, Mitchell, and Hanna, and Suzanne (Terry) Stika, La Crosse, and their children Dylan and Alexis. He is further survived by two sisters, Cleo Taplin, Denver, Colo., and Joan (Ted) Wilding, Ballwin, Mo.; and a sister-in-law, Hilma Artz, Cherokee, Iowa.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Ralph Artz and Ted Artz; and one sister, Theo Ashton.

Memorials may be given to the House of Dove Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, or other groups designed by the family.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, assisted the family with arrangements.