Obit: Nauertz, James F. #1 (1939? - 1976)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Nauertz, Boon, Zickert, Lulloff, Henseler

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/04/1976

Nauertz, James F. (1939? – 29 February 1976)

A rural Neillsville man was found dead near his wrecked and ice-encrusted auto in Hay Creek, Town of Foster, on Monday morning by a patrolling crew of Clark County Highway department workers.

The man, James F. Nauertz, 36, was apparently traveling west on county trunk “I” in the night hours on Sunday when his car left the roadway at a bridge and plunged into the creek, now a mixture of open water and ice flows.

According to Clark County Coroner Robert Lulloff, Nauertz’s body was found around 8:00 a.m. Time of death is still being determined.

The Nauertz vehicle was three-quarters submerged when discovered and the Nauertz body was found under the bridge, face down in the water. Ice had begun forming around both objects by the morning discovery.

Lulloff stated that Nauertz had died of “either drowning or exposure or possibly both.” According to state qualifications, the death will not be listed as a traffic fatality., Lulloff added. Nauertz, according to investigating officers’ reports, had apparently left his vehicle and had tried to make it to the shoreline.

Lulloff reported that blood samples were taken from Nauertz body for examination by the state for evidences of alcohol. It was reported that the victim had visited a Tioga area bar on Sunday evening.

Services for Nauertz were to be held Wednesday at the Georgas-Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, with Father Joseph Henseler officiating, and burial to be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Neillsville.

Nauertz was born and educated in Neillsville. After attending school, he worked at various jobs in the area. He was recently employed by a Neillsville bag company.

Nauertz is survived by children, Danny, Elizabeth Ann and Jimmy, his mother, Mrs. Alice Nauertz, Neillsville; two sisters, Mrs. Donald (Carol) Boon, rural Greenwood, and Mrs. Ronald (Mary Ann) Zickert, Neillsville; and three brothers, Thomas of West Bend and Gary and Larry Neillsville.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank.

The body lied in state on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday until time of services.

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Obit: Nauertz, James F. #2 (1939? - 1976)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Nauertz, Boon, Zickert, Schimmelphinig, Paton, Kucia, Austin, Gall, Short, Stringer, Montgomery, Krall, Mesar, Schiesel, Henseler

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/11/1976

Nauertz, James F. (1939? – 29 February 1976)

Funeral services were held March 3 from the Georgas-Gesche Funeral Home for James F. Nauertz, 36, of Neillsville, who died February 29 following an auto accident. The Rev. Joseph Henseler of St. Mary’s Catholic Church officiated, and burial followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Dale Short, Floyd Short, Don Stringer, Al Montgomery, Dick Krall and Joe Mesar.

Mrs. John Schiesel was the organist.

Among those attending the services were the following from out of town, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Nauertz and family, West Bend; Dan Nauertz and Mrs. Betty Schimmelphinig and family, Fairchild; Mrs. Grace Paton, Mrs. Beverly Kucia and family and Mrs. Linda Austin and daughter, Westmont, Il.; Mr. and Mrs. George Nauertz, Altoona; Jeff Gall, Marshfield.