Obit: Totzke, Albert Arthur (1915 - 2011)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Carlson, Ebben, Eipers, Finke, Hartl, Hoernke, Mielke, Natzke, Prozanski, Raddatz, Sowell, Tigert, Totzke

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 5/10/2011

Totzke, Albert Arthur (18 OCT 1915 - 4 MAY 2011)

Albert Arthur Totzke, 95, Edgar was welcomed into the arms of Jesus Wednesday, May 4, 2011 in the Palliative Care Unit at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 8, 2011 at St. John Lutheran Church, W1000 County Road N., Edgar. The Rev. Gail Sowell will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services all at the church.

Albert was born October 18, 1915 son of the late Ferdinand and Emma (Hoernke) Totzke in the house that was to be his lifelong home on Butternut Road in rural Edgar. He attended Edgar High School and graduated from UWSP with a Bachelors Degree in Math and General Science. He wanted to be a teacher but in 1938 teaching positions were hard to find.

On June 13, 1942 he married Agnes Hartl. They celebrated 66 years of marriage in 2008 just one month before her passing on July 18, 2008. Agnes and Albert farmed in the town of Frankfort all of their married life. Albert was proud of his chosen vocation and worked very hard at being a good farmer. He embraced new ideas and was one of the first farmers in Marathon County to build a silo and put hay ledge for his dairy cows. The farm is still being operated by the third generation and fourth generations of Totzkes.

Albert was a lifelong member of the Marathon County Farm Bureau. Back in the day they would hold Monthly meetings at the members' homes and bring in various speakers of interest to dairy farmers. Albert was also the town of Frankfort assessor for many years along with being the church treasurer for St. John ELCA. He also served the community of Edgar on the school board for 12 years from 1965-1977.

Albert lived a simple life, just a meat and potatoes kind of guy. Most important to Albert was his faith and spending time with his family. The grandkids always knew a trip to Grandpas meant card games, the marble game and popcorn. Many family gatherings and celebrations were enjoyed during the 95 years with us. That's a whole lot of sheep head!

Survivors include his children, Carl (Jean) Totzke, John Totzke and Aaron Totzke, all of Edgar, Jane (Jeff) Carlson, Eagan, Minn., Kaye (Duane) Natzke, Athens and Kris Totzke, Milwaukee. He will also be missed by his grandchildren, Cathy (Rob) Prozanski, Jeff (Cydnee) Totzke, Jeremy Totzke, Anthony (Annette Eipers) Totzke, Vicky (Bret) Finke, Eric Totzke, Angela Totzke, Tiffany Totzke, Jessica Carlson, Andy (Lori) Natzke and Ben Natzke, and great grandchildren, Matthew, Brienna, Cameron, Grayson and Connor.

He is further survived by a sister Wolga Tigert, Oshkosh, brother-in-law, Gordon Raddatz, Oshkosh, sisters and brothers-in-law Leta and Leonard Ebben, Abbotsford and Laura and Ed Mielke, Colby along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Agnes, siblings Carl, Emma, Herman, Fred, Hertha, Elsie and Aurella.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. 

The family would like to express our thanks to the staff of the Palliative Care Unit at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their compassionate care and concern for Albert during his last days.