Harold Ertel, 92, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 24 at Lakeshore at Siena. He was born on June 4, 1926, in Sheboygan. Harold was the son of the late Gottlieb and Elizabeth (Nee: Herrmann) Ertel.
Harold went to St. John’s Lutheran Grade School growing up and graduated from Park High School in 1944. He volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a radar operator on the U.S.S. Schmitt. For his service, he received a Pacific Theater Ribbon-2 stars, an American Theater Ribbon, and a Victory Medal. After the war, Harold pursued a marketing degree from the University of Denver and later graduated. He was married to Lily Anne Lakosky on September 2, 1950. Harold was also a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
His career began at Young Radiator and Perfex Corp. Following his stint there, he started his own company, H. Ertel Inc. Harold had quite a few hobbies, including gardening, Wisconsin Badger Football, and most of all, spending time with family. He was also a member of Deutscher Maenner Verein (the German Club) of Racine.
Surviving are his loving wife, Lily; children, Thomas Ertel of Chicago, IL, Harold (Marie) Ertel of Racine, Richard (Susan) Ertel of Racine, Nancy Albro of Racine, Anne (David) Sawasky of Goodlettsville, TN; devoted grandchildren, Peter Albro of Madison, WI, Rachel (Chris) Neil of West Allis, WI, Sarah Sawasky of Minneapolis, MN, Nicholas Sawasky of Stevens Point, WI, Michael Sawasky of Goodlettsville, TN, Alisa Ertel of West Allis, WI, Jacob Ertel of Milwaukee, WI, Lily Ertel of Racine; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, John, Bud, Erma, Arthur, and William.
The funeral will take place at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 30 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1501 Erie St. Rev. Jack Gilbert will be officiating. The interment with full military honors will take place afterward at West Lawn Memorial Park. Friends and relatives can meet with the family on Thursday at the Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home from 4-6 p.m. and Friday at the church from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Memorials to St. John’s Lutheran Church have been suggested.
The family would like to give special thanks for the spiritual guidance imparted by Pastor Jack Gilbert, and the care given by Lecia Benske, Dr. Nicholas Akgulian, Dr. Ryan Engel and the excellent staff at Lakeshore at Siena.