Erich Edward Reetz

Erich Edward Reetz, age 99, formerly of Princeton, passed away at the Markesan Resident Home on Monday, November 25, 2024. He was born on December 9, 1924, on the family farm in the town of Seneca in Green Lake County. He was the second son of Edward and Alvina (Oelke) Reetz. Erich was baptized and confirmed at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neshkoro WI. He was educated at Pond Lily School, a one room, eight grade school. After graduating from eighth grade, he immediately began working on the family farm.

As an adult he enjoyed the big band dance music played at the community hall in Princeton, WI. There were always weekend wedding dances and that was where he met his dear wife, Jeanette Sobralske. Their wedding dance on June 30, 1951, was one of the last dances at the community hall. In order to provide for his family, Erich worked on farms, then at Handcraft in the shipping department for almost twenty years. When Handcraft was sold, he became the street commissioner for the City of Princeton. This also included helping the police department with traffic control at the monthly cattle fair and the Princeton Flea Market. Erich was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Princeton and also served on the Church Council and Lutheran School Board. He was also a member of the Princeton Volunteer Fire Department.

After retirement and still loving the land and his first Ford tractor, Erich enjoyed gardening and snow plowing. He rented land, and grew crops to sell at area farmers’ markets. Erich also enjoyed deer hunting, harvesting popcorn and hickory nuts in the winter, and was continually repairing things around the house.

Erich is survived by his 2 children, Jane Dreger and Jerry (Linda) Reetz; 4 grandchildren, Dr. Matthew (Elizabeth) Reetz, Elizabeth (Brad) Oosterhous, Kimberly (Eddie) Leppin, Kaitlyn (Ted) Meixensperger; 12 great-grandchildren, Emily, Abigail, Julia, Ethan, Alyssa Reetz; Aleesha and Collin Oosterhous; Alexis (Marik) Reilly, Levi Leppin; Connor, Bryson, Dylan Meixensperger. The birth of Ryder Reilly turned Erich into a great-great grandfather. Erich is further survived by 4 sisters, Viola Raasch, Edna Werth, Lorraine Schultz, Melita Ellingson; brother, Alvin (Sonja) Reetz, many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Jeanette Reetz; daughter, Joan Reetz who passed away at age 12; parents, Edward and Alvina Reetz; an infant sister, Leona; brother, Edwin Reetz; sister, Esther Wendt.

A funeral service for Erich Reetz will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 226 S. Clinton St., in Princeton. Pastor John Stelter will officiate. Erich will be laid to rest following the service in the Memory Hill Cemetery in Princeton. Please visit our website www.wachholzandsons.com to send a condolence or to share a memory of Erich with his family.

Wachholz and Sons Funeral Home

Sunset Cremation Center in Princeton

Serving the Family, 920-295-6631

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