Robert J. Schaetz

Robert J. Schaetz, age 80, died Saturday, August 13, 2005 at Parkside Care Center in Little Chute. He was born January 7, 1925 in Green Bay, son of the late Louis and Margaret (Kunesh) Schaetz. On September 2, 1944, Bob married the former Ellen Hock at St. Boniface Catholic Church in DePere; she survives. The couple moved to Freedom in 1956 and purchased a farm there. During the time the family operated the farm, Bob became trained as a journeyman plumber, and worked for Valentine Plumbing until his retirement in 1994. Bob was a volunteer firefighter for the Freedom Fire Department from its inception and was also a longtime and faithful member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church. Bob was an avid sports fan and carefully followed the Green Bay Packers, and also enjoyed traveling, camping, and bowling with his family and friends, but most of all, loved being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He looked forward to the family birthday and holiday parties.

Survivors include his wife: Ellen Schaetz of Freedom; four sons: Dennis Schaetz, Darold Schaetz, and Joseph Schaetz, all of Freedom; Steve (Tammy) Schaetz of Draper, Utah; four daughters: Dianne (Dick) Geurts of Freedom; Joy (Dan) Rickert of Fishersville, Virginia; Kari (Dale) Liebergen of Freedom; and Kathy (John) Igoe of Freedom; fourteen grandchildren: Rick Geurts, Connie (Ken) Zirbel, Rob (Judy) Geurts, Roy (Sun) Geurts, Ben (Dani) Rickert, Andrew Rickert, Sarah (Jay) Oestereich, Stacy (Chris) Koch, Ian Schaetz, Craig Liebergen, Dana Liebergen, Jodi Liebergen, Jessica Igoe, and Joshua Igoe; thirteen great-grandchildren: Connor and Tristan Geurts; Chad, Max, Cole, and Abby Zirbel; Bailey and Brianna Geurts; Caitlyn, Lydia, and Camaryn Oestereich; Devyn and Dariyan Koch; two sisters: Lillian (Don) Bouche of Green Bay and Eunice Gerlikovski of Green Bay; a brother: Louis Schaetz of Green Bay; two sisters-in-law: June Schaetz of Green Bay and Henrietta Schaetz of Green Bay; a brother-in-law: Bill (Marge) Hock of Green Bay; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Harold, Donald, and Urban Schaetz; sisters: Marge (Russell) Burt, Betty (Clifford) Ault, and Agnes Schaetz; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and by Ellen’s parents: John and Christine (Galroth) Hock.

The funeral liturgy for Bob will be held at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at ST. NICHOLAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, N4088 County Road E in Freedom with Fr. John Schuetze officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Wednesday from 2:00 PM until the hour of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund in Bob’s name.

The family would like to thank Dr. Russo, everyone at Heartland Hospice, the staff at the Parkside Care Center and the staff at AMC for their care and concern. We will never forget your kindness.