Obit: Pretsch, Walter F. (1926 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Pretsch, Selves, Gundrum, Werner, Pohl, Davis, Seegert, Stevenson, Lauber, King, Cardarelle, Jelinek, Reimann, Krueger, Short, Haines      

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) April 27, 2011

Pretsch, Walter F. (3 October 1926 - 20 April 2011) With Flag

Walter F. Pretsch, 84, of West Bend passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at the Samaritan Health Center in West Bend.

Walter was born Oct. 3, 1926, in Neillsville, to the late Fred and La Veda (Selves) Pretsch.  He graduated from Granton High School and joined the U. S. Army.  Following his discharge, he farmed in Neillsville for a short time before moving to West Bend.  He then married Ethel F. Gundrum Nov. 5, 1949, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Slinger.  Ethel preceded him in death Aug. 2, 2009.  He worked for the West Bend Company for 41 years retiring in 1988.  He was a Cub Scout and Webelos Scout Leader and enjoyed fishing and going to the races in Slinger with his children and wife when they were younger.  Walter was an avid follower of the Packers, Brewers and Bucks, both on radio and TV, where he never missed a game.

He is survived by his five children, Walter (Vickie) of West Bend, Faith Hope (Ron) Werner of Lomira, Kenneth of West Bend, Cheryl (Gregory) Pohl of Sheboygan and Lorie (Shane) Davis of Stigler, OK; 15 grandchildren, Jamin (Patricia) Werner, Dean (Ashley) Pretsch, Jeffrey Pohl (friend Stephanie), Tammy Seegert (fiancé Ryan), Benjamin Stevenson (friend Sarah), Andrew (Jennifer) Pohl, Tracie Pretsch (friend Tim), John Werner, Samantha (Michael) Lauber, Kevin (Kristin) Pretsch, Michael Pohl (fiancée Laura), Austin Davis, Casey Davis, Chloe Davis and Caleb Werner.  He is further survived by 15 great-grandchildren, Ashlynn, Dean Jr., Alexandra W., Rylan, Alexandra D., Daylyn, Elizabeth, Mikayla, Mikinzie, Levi, Savannah, Maddilynn , Keydis, Landon and Payton; five siblings, Esther (Harry) King of Neillsville, Marie Cardarelle of West Bend, Earl Pretsch of Neillsville, Arlene (Donald) Jelinek of Neillsville and Jerry (Caroline) Pretsch of Stratford; his sister-in-law, Virginia Reimann of Florida; his brother-in-law Kenneth Krueger of Arizona; his canine companion Snoopy; and nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Walter is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and La Veda Pretsch; his wife Ethel; his stepmother Wanda (nee Short); his brother Richard "Bub" (Irma) Pretsch; and his beloved dog Buttons.

A memorial service to honor Walter will be held Wednesday, April 27, at 7 p.m. at the Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend with Rev. Jeffrey Haines officiating.  Inurnment with military honors will take place in St. Peter’s Old Cemetery in Slinger.  Visitation will be Wednesday at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 6:45 p.m.

We would like to thank the staff and friends at the Samaritan Health Center for the loving care and dedication you gave to Pa while he was there. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered in our hearts.

The Schmidt Funeral Home of West Bend is serving the family.

Online guest book and condolences are available at www.schmidtfuneralhome.com.