LaVera E. Reetz, age 93, of Neshkoro, died peacefully under hospice care on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at Patriot Place in Berlin.
LaVera was born in the Town of Seneca on June 8, 1919, the daughter of Albert H. and Lydia A. Schwanke Zietlow. She graduated from Berlin High School. On June 14, 1940 she married Walter Reetz at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairburn.
She and her husband farmed for many years on the family farm south of Neshkoro. She also worked at various jobs off the farm from time to time. LaVera loved the land, the river, and wooded areas, and remained keenly interested in them throughout her later years. She enjoyed gardening, and
was particularly adept at growing flowers, often sharing her over-abundant production with friends.
After retiring from the farm, LaVera took art lessons and became an accomplished artist, spending
many enjoyable hours painting. She frequently created something for one of her many friends and
neighbors. LaVera was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Neshkoro and developed many strong
relationships through her involvement with church affairs. She was keenly interested in the addition
to the church building several years ago and took pride in her role with that accomplishment.
LaVera is survived by a son, Roger (Kay) Reetz of Mequon; two grandsons, Jon (Lisa) Reetz of
Wauwatosa and Patrick (Angela) Reetz of Hartland; four great-grandchildren, Eileen, Evan, Jason,
and Megan; two brothers, Bertram (Donna) Zietlow and LaVern “Butch” Zietlow all of Berlin; and
nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband on January 25, 2002; her parents;
a granddaughter, Pamela Reetz; and a great-grandson, Joshua Reetz.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in
Neshkoro, the Rev. Franklin Giebel officiating. Interment will follow in Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Friends and relatives may call on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola
Funeral Chapel in Berlin.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at barbolafc@yahoo.com.