William J. Kortz

William Kortz, age 66, died early Saturday morning, December 1, 2007 at the Appleton Medical Center. Bill was born in Appleton on October 28, 1941, son of the late Kirby and Catherine (Vander Heiden) Kortz. A lifetime area resident, Bill was a graduate of Holy Cross Elementary School and Freedom High School. He was also a lifelong and active member of Holy Cross Parish. Bill married Helen Diny on July 2, 1966 in Greenleaf. They were blessed with forty-one years of love, laughter, and happiness. Bill was employed as a truck driver for forty-five years and retired to enjoy tinkering with motors and collecting antique tractors. He was a very gentle man who loved nature, going for long walks, traveling, biking, and especially spending time with his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered as an attentive listener of joys and sorrows and a thoughtful giver.

Bill is survived by his wife: Helen; two daughters: Ann (Robert) Laatsch of Jacksonville, North Carolina and Lynn (David) Bustamante of Colorado Springs, Colorado; four grandchildren: William and Molly Laatsch and Alejandro and Sophia Bustamante; three sisters: Joan (Gene) Vander Heiden of Kaukauna, Mary (Joe) Lom of Appleton, Carol (John) Pilgrim of Oconomowoc; four brothers: Roy (Sue) Kortz of Waupaca, Lee (Carol) Kortz of Cincinnati, Jim (Linda) Kortz of Kaukauna, and Mark (Jan) Kortz of Kaukauna. Bill is further survived by his wife’s family: Mary (Patrick) West of Stevens Point, Pat (Tom) Van Rossum of Greenleaf, and Diane (Jeff) Joyce of Wausau, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by Helen’s parents, Clarence and Marie (Nies) Diny.

The funeral liturgy for Bill will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street in Kaukauna, with Fr. Martin Fox and Fr. Jack Mullarkey officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday (TODAY) from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service. There will be a parish prayer and scripture service at 7:00 PM tonight at the funeral home.

FARGO FUNERAL HOME
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, WI 54130
920-766-6200