Walter Carl "Peck" Bartz

Walter “Peck” Carl Bartz, 90, of Dakota, Minnesota passed away at Gundersen Health System on Friday June 2, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born December 30, 1932, to William and Ella (Blumentritt) Bartz. He was a life long member of St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Nodine, MN.

On September 20, 1952, he married Lilah Kramer and they enjoyed 70 wonderful years together and made their home in Dakota. They had two children, Steve and Linda.

He is survived by his wife Lilah, son Steve (Sarah) Bartz of La Crescent, MN, son-in-law Del Mueller of Dakota, MN, three grandchildren Paul Bartz, Phillip (Tiffany) Bartz and Cassie (Gary) Johnson, 3 great-grandchildren Niles, Nila and Navi Bartz, niece Corine Stanton and nephew Daniel Koch.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Linda Mueller, mother and father-in-law, brothers Howard, Sam, and William Bartz, sister Dolaresse Krizenecky.

Peck served in the US Army from 1952 – 1955, He was employed at Norplex in La Crosse, WI for several years and then joined the Minnesota State Highway Department where he retired in 1995.

Peck was an avid baseball player and fan and truly loved the game. He loved hunting and especially enjoyed the family deer hunting days as he recalled many great memories of those hunting outings. Peck taught many young hunters in the community how to hunt and loved doing it.

After retirement he spent most summers in his garden where he took great pride in growing his own vegetables and gladiolas. He loved to share his harvest with all his neighbors and friends.

Most of all Peck loved spending time with his family and friends and he knew everyone! He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and truly cherished his time with them. He will be truly missed by everyone.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, June 7th, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nodine. Pastor Wolf Parsons will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in the Hiler Cemetery in Nodine. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 111 S. Oak St., La Crescent and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated in Peck’s name.

His family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Gundersen’s 5th floor Medical Specialty Department who took wonderful care of Peck in his final days. We truly appreciate them and all they did for Peck and our family.