Allen Ertel, 79, of Sheboygan, passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at Morningside Nursing Home where he had been residing.
Born April 24, 1937, Allen was a son of the late John and Emma Fischer Ertel. He attended Sheboygan area schools and graduated from Central High School in 1956. He then went on to serve his country in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1956 to 1957 when he was honorably discharged to return home to run the family business following the death of his step father. On August 30, 1958, he was united in marriage to Gail F. Dortman at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. They were married for 46 years before Gail preceded him in death on March 3, 2005.
Allen was a forklift operator in the warehouse at Schultz Sav-O-Stores for 30 years, retiring in 1998. He previously ran the family business, Sheboygan Hide and Tallow Rendering Plant in Sheboygan. He was a member of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer where he loved to sing in the church choir. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, baseball, dartball, golf and bowling. He was a past commodore of the Sheboygan Outboard Club. In his later years, he loved traveling around the United States in their motor home with his wife, Gail. He was a huge Packer and Brewer fan.
He is survived by his children, Victoria (Kevin) Wagner, Sun Prairie, Laurie (Jeff) Gabrielse, Sheboygan, and Scott Ertel, Sheboygan; his seven grandchildren, Alexandra Wagner, Madison, Erich Wagner, Sun Prairie, Hannah Maxey, Virginia Beach, VA, Martha (Jeff) Brent, Phoenix, AZ, Ethan Gabrielse, Madison, Isabella Ertel, Whitewater, and Casey Ertel, Sheboygan; one great granddaughter, Elliana Wagner; his sisters-in-law, Pat Ertel, Cottage Grove, and Thuy Dortman, Sheboygan; a brother-in-law, Robert (Joyce) Dortman, Sheboygan; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents and his wife, Gail, he was preceded in death by his step father, Christ Felde, his sisters, Maryann Len and Janet Blevons, and his brothers, Richard , Bernard and Donald Ertel.
Funeral services for Allen will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at the Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1132 Superior Avenue. Rev. Matthew D. Peters will officiate. Family and friends are welcome at the funeral home on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Entombment will take place on the Gardens of Peace Mausoleum.
A memorial fund has been established in his name.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mancheski, the ladies of Columbia St. Mary's Marsho Medical and the nurses and staff of Morningside Nursing Home for all of their loving care and support.