1930
James
2014
James Bartz
January 20, 1930 — August 10, 2014
James F. Bartz, age 84, of Ripon, WI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 10, 2014.
Jim was born on January 20, 1930, in Fond du Lac, WI. He was the oldest of three sons born to Elmer and Edna (Close) Bartz. Jim graduated from Ripon High School and after one year at Ripon College, he went on to the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he earned his Bachelor Degree in Soil Science (1952) and his PhD (1959). In the intervening years he served proudly in the Army and married the love of his life Bernice Duer.
He enjoyed varied and successful careers. Jim was the Director of Agriculture Research for Green Giant and Director of the Green Giant Home and Garden Centers, Head of the Horticulture Department at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul and co-owner of Bartz Nursery in Ripon. Jim touched many lives and maintained many business friendships through retirement.
Jim was active in the Lions Club and Zion Lutheran Church in LeSueur, MN and in the United Methodist Church in Hopkins, MN. When they moved back to Ripon in 1989, he became active in Rotary Club and Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ. Jim was a life-long card player – enjoying bridge, 500, cribbage, and any game that included joking, ribbing, yelling and laughing. He was generous with his time and energy, enjoyed reading and writing, and gave without fanfare. Jim was a supporter of education and all things having to do with agriculture.
He is survived by one daughter, Susan (Don) Schmitz of Fond du Lac, WI; two sons, Stephen (Ann) Bartz of Columbia Heights, MN and Eric (Jenny) Bartz of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren, Ann (Tim) Schmitz-Guy, Laura (Jeff Weber) and Julie Schmitz, Kara, Caleb, Elise and Skye Bartz and two great-grandchildren, Brynn and Makenna Schmitz-Guy. Jim was further survived by two brothers, Bill (Joyce) of Pickett, WI and Jerry (Sharon) of Gainesville, FL and nieces and nephews, Lisa, Sherry, Todd and Brett. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Bernice.
Visitation for Jim will be held on Sunday, August 31, 2014, from 12:30 – 2:00 pm at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ, 343 Scott St., Ripon, WI 54971.
Remembrance service for Jim will be held on Sunday, August 31, 2014, at 2:00 pm at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ in Ripon. Reverend Dr. Kevin P. Mundell will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ or a charity of your choice.
Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send online condolences
Jim was born on January 20, 1930, in Fond du Lac, WI. He was the oldest of three sons born to Elmer and Edna (Close) Bartz. Jim graduated from Ripon High School and after one year at Ripon College, he went on to the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he earned his Bachelor Degree in Soil Science (1952) and his PhD (1959). In the intervening years he served proudly in the Army and married the love of his life Bernice Duer.
He enjoyed varied and successful careers. Jim was the Director of Agriculture Research for Green Giant and Director of the Green Giant Home and Garden Centers, Head of the Horticulture Department at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul and co-owner of Bartz Nursery in Ripon. Jim touched many lives and maintained many business friendships through retirement.
Jim was active in the Lions Club and Zion Lutheran Church in LeSueur, MN and in the United Methodist Church in Hopkins, MN. When they moved back to Ripon in 1989, he became active in Rotary Club and Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ. Jim was a life-long card player – enjoying bridge, 500, cribbage, and any game that included joking, ribbing, yelling and laughing. He was generous with his time and energy, enjoyed reading and writing, and gave without fanfare. Jim was a supporter of education and all things having to do with agriculture.
He is survived by one daughter, Susan (Don) Schmitz of Fond du Lac, WI; two sons, Stephen (Ann) Bartz of Columbia Heights, MN and Eric (Jenny) Bartz of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren, Ann (Tim) Schmitz-Guy, Laura (Jeff Weber) and Julie Schmitz, Kara, Caleb, Elise and Skye Bartz and two great-grandchildren, Brynn and Makenna Schmitz-Guy. Jim was further survived by two brothers, Bill (Joyce) of Pickett, WI and Jerry (Sharon) of Gainesville, FL and nieces and nephews, Lisa, Sherry, Todd and Brett. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Bernice.
Visitation for Jim will be held on Sunday, August 31, 2014, from 12:30 – 2:00 pm at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ, 343 Scott St., Ripon, WI 54971.
Remembrance service for Jim will be held on Sunday, August 31, 2014, at 2:00 pm at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ in Ripon. Reverend Dr. Kevin P. Mundell will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ or a charity of your choice.
Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send online condolences
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Bartz, please visit our flower store.
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