Irene Marie Bartz

Irene Bartz, age 96, of Chippewa Falls, WI formerly of Neillsville, WI died Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in Chippewa Falls.

Irene Marie Bartz was born on April 20, 1922 in Hortonville, WI. She graduated from high school in Milwaukee, WI and then worked as a nanny for a family in Oak Park, IL. She then went to work for the Mars Candy Co. before enlisting into the United States Coast Guard. She did her basic training in Florida and then was stationed in San Diego for two years before being honorably discharged in 1945. She worked in Petaluma, CA for a few years and then moved to Wisconsin and met her future husband in Granton, WI. She was united in marriage to Laurence Bartz on June 20, 1953. They farmed and Irene owned Montgomery Wards stores starting in 1964. They moved from the farm to Marinette, WI in 1971. Laurence died in 2009, and Irene spent her remaining days at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in Chippewa Falls.

She is survived by five children, Rene Poziombke of Anacortes, WA, Gary (Bonnie) Bartz of Granton, WI, Ken (Mary) Bartz of Anchorage, AK, Janet Grant of Madison, WI and Debbie (Dan) Palladino of Orlando, FL. Irene is further survived by 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Laurence, a brother, Bernard, a sister, Eleanor, and a son-in-law, Tom Poziombke.

A Memorial Service for Irene will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 25, 2018 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Daniel Schoessow will officiate. Interment will be in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Granton, with military honors performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday at the Gesche Funeral Home.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Irene’s family with funeral arrangements.