William Edward Bartz Sr., 83 of the Town of Belle Plaine, Shawano County was reunited with his parents, Edna and Edward Bartz, and his sister Dorothy Bruette on February 16, 2025. He passed away peacefully of a short illness surrounded by his loving family at the ThedaCare Medical Center in Shawano.

Bill was born on December 4, 1941. He was raised on his family’s dairy farm in Belle Plaine, Wisconsin. That farm served as the foundation upon which he built his life and the gathering place for his family, bringing together his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. United in marriage to Karen Rasmussen on January 13, 1960, the couple proudly celebrated 65 years together this past month. Bill began working as a certified welder for FWD Seagrave and then took over the family farm from his parents, who retired and moved to Schoenick Lake. Together the couple raised five children, teaching them the importance of hard work and family. For man years Bill worked as a backhoe operator for Rouse Construction; proudly helping clear the way for Highway 43 as one of his fondest work memories. Bill was a quiet man who expressed his love through actions, always showing up to help family with projects or lend a hand whenever they needed it. Never one to sit still, he could always be found working on something. He loved finding deals on “junk” at auctions and hauling it home to either restore or take apart and repurpose the pieces into something new. Among the many things he built in his life, his prized fabrications were his sawmill and wood processor (nicknamed his dream machine by his wife Karen). His passion that he shared with his son-in-law and grandson for machinery extended to his antique tractor collection, which he gladly added to when given the opportunity. He loved being outdoors, whether fishing on Schoenick Lake or hunting in his woods. He could often be found with a can koozie of Diet Mountain Dew in hand, listening to polka music, watching football, or catching a NASCAR race – usually alongside his family and his “big kitty” cat. His love for the simple pleasures of life was matched only by the joy he found in sharing them with his family and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Edna (Westphal) Bartz; his sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Ted Bruette;  his parents-in-law, Kenneth and Mildred Rasmussen; his brother-in-law Garland Knapp; and his dog Bristol.

Survivors include: His wife, Karen Bartz. His sister, Delores Knapp. Children: Brenda Bartz, David (Tammy Friedrich) Bartz, Bill (Stacey Nelson) Bartz, Anne Bartz, and Joanne (Scott) Ebel
Grandchildren: Amanda Bartz, Nathan (Casey) Bartz, Melissa Barker, Kourtney (Jason Stoffel) Jones, David (Anna) Bartz Jr., Steve (Erica) Ebel, Austin (Fiance Nicole Seefeldt) Ebel, Jasmine Bartz, Travis Friedrich, and Miranda (David) Osman.
Great-Grandchildren: Howard Barker Jr., Bryce Barker, Trentyn Bartz, Levi Bartz, Keyannah Bartz, Mirabelle Osman, & Miranda Ebel.
Many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Also good friends Lee & Sandy Hammond.

Per Bill’s wishes a private family gathering will be held at a later date. His family would like to thank the Belle Plaine EMS, Shawano Sheriff’s Dept, 1st Responders, and the entire staff at ThedaCare Medical Center and Hospice for all of their care and assistance. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting the Bartz family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com.