Erwin A. Bratz

Erwin Albert Bratz fell asleep with the Lord late Saturday, February 25th, 2017 surrounded by family and with his loving wife of 52 years holding his hand.He was born at home in the town of Eaton on October 31, 1942 to Otto and Ilene (McMunn) Bratz. His family moved to Two Rivers when Erv was two years old and made their final homestead in the Rockwood area when he was 13 years of age. Immediately after graduating from Manitowoc Lincoln High School in 1960, he joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. Erv served his country for three years, first in the Mediterranean and then at sea near Guantanamo Bay. He returned to Wisconsin and met the love of his life, Carol LaViolette, at the local roller rink where he would always be right there to pick her up whenever she fell, though she didn't yet know who he was. After being introduced to him as the neighbor of her best friend and finally giving him her number, they were joined in matrimony at Rockwood Evangelical Lutheran Church on November 28, 1964. At the time, he held several jobs in the area before becoming employed at Manitowoc Cranes. In 2002, after 35 Years, he retired for the first time. He took on his second job in the Town of Kossuth at the recycling center where he always had candy for the kids and treats for the puppies. Erv made the difficult decision to retire in 2016 because of health reasons.He was a member of the Rockwood Ev. Lutheran Church family from when he and Carol married until the time of his passing. He served the Lord at Rockwood in various roles as council president, treasurer, handyman, and the main point of contact for any and all needs all those years. He was a faithful steward to his heavenly Father.He is remembered with much love by his wife Carol Bratz, who he frequently said took him out of the gutter and gave him many years of happiness and memories; by his two girls and their families: Lynn and Mark Wilsing of Sheboygan Falls WI, and Lori and Paul Snyder of La Place, LA; by his pride and joys, six grandchildren: Britny Wilsing of Sheboygan; Justin Bunker of Howard; Samantha Bunker of Green Bay and her special friend Phil DeCastro; Lauren Itzen of Wauwatosa; Lydia Snyder of Dubuque, IA; Nate Snyder of Manitowoc; one great-granddaughter: Alexis (Lexi) Bunker, affectionately dubbed by Erv as the "White Tornado." Stories of his antics will be fondly recounted for years to come by his older sisters and their families as well as Carol's family; Elaine (and the late Raymond) Coenen, Eleanor and Tom Stehula, Larry and Mary Ann LaViolette, Ken and Susan LaViolette, Keith and Kris LaViolette, (the late Dave) and Sue LaViolette, Debbie and Dennis Spevacek, Gary and Shelley LaViolette, and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and their families. Erv shared many fun times over the years of their friendships with Jim and Jane Tegelmen, Mike and Jessie Pautz, and Ken and Mary Schuh. Packer games will never be the same again. He will be terribly missed by his fur babies, Ginger and Pepper. Erwin has rejoined with his father and mother: Otto and Ilene Bratz, mother-in-law and father-in-law: Elaine and Carl LaViolette; two brothers-in-law: Raymond Coenen (best man at Erv's wedding); Dave LaViolette.Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2017 at Rockwood Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5805 County Highway R, Manitowoc. Rev. Bruce Schwark will officiate with burial to follow at Branch Evergreen Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded at the cemetery by Kubale-O'Connell VFW Post #6179 of Kellnersville. Relatives and friends may call at the Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home, 1124 Main Street, Kellnersville on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Friday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 10:00 a.m. Online condolences may be expressed at www.jensreinboldandpfeffer.comErwin's family wants to express deepest gratitude to the nursing staff at Aurora Medical Center. A special thanks to Diane of second floor same day surgery and Danielle in hospice care who showed Erwin, Carol and the family incredible kindness. We are forever grateful.

Visitation

Friday, March 3, 2017 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Rockwood Evangelical Lutheran Church
5805 CTH R Manitowoc 54220, US

Funeral Service

Friday, March 3, 2017 10:00 AM
Rockwood Evangelical Lutheran Church
5805 CTH R Manitowoc 54220, US

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