Louis Reese Hentz

Louis R. Hentz, 87, of Oshkosh and Larsen, WI, and Riverview FL, went to his eternal rest on August 7, 2015. Though he fought a courageous battle with cancer since late 2013, he finally tired and asked his Lord to call him home; he passed peacefully in his sleep. In death, as in life, Louie did things according to his own terms. One of nine children, Louis Reese Hentz was born June 10, 1928 in Oshkosh, WI, to Joseph and Catherine (Reese) Hentz. He graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1946 and went to work for the Kimberly Clark Corporation. A few years later he was drafted into the armed forces. After his discharge from full-time military service, Louie worked a number of different jobs including driving cab part-time for the Oshkosh Cab Company, which is how he met Audrey E. Bahr (she later changed the spelling of her name to Audrie). On Sept. 1, 1956, the two were married in Oshkosh. Their marriage was blessed with two children. Two of the things Louie and Audrie most enjoyed doing were ballroom dancing and playing cards with neighbors and friends. In 1960, Louie became employed by the Wisconsin Bell System, which later became Wisconsin Telephone and eventually AT & T. Always a hard worker who wanted to give the very best to his family, Louie worked part-time at West End Pizza, while also working for the phone company. He also volunteered whenever he could, including helping clean up stretches of Wisconsin roadways through the Telephone Pioneers organization.Louie proudly served his nation for a total of 37 years three in the U.S. Naval Reserve and 34 in the U.S. Army, both active duty and Reserves, retiring from the Reserves in July 1984 where hed spent his final 17 years as a 1st SGT. He was a veteran of the Korean War, and was both honored and proud to be on the Old Glory Honor Flight with his fellow servicemen and son in 2014. He was also a member of 12 military vets known as The Dirty Dozen.Audrie preceded him in death in 1980. He later was remarried to Rogene Bursack on Oct. 9, 1982. In 1990 he retired from the phone company with 30 years of service. He and Rogene then became snowbirds, spending winters in Arizona and later Florida, and traveling to several countries and taking a number of cruises. Louie enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting, golf, traveling, watching sports-especially golf and the Packers-reading a good Westernespecially books by Louis L Amour-and spending time with family and friends. He also enjoyed baking when he had time, and could whip up a delicious apple pie, as well as cookies or muffins.Louie is survived by his children daughter Cheryl (Tracy) Hentz and son William Bill (Kay) Hentz, grandchildren Jeremy (Olivia Blanke) Hentz, Jason Hentz, Alicia Hentz (his little sweetie), and the family dogs, as well as his sister, Mary Catherine; second wife, Rogene; and step-children, Linda (Kim) Werner, Judy (Dan) Gottfried , Denise (Ben) Srebrow, and Mike (Debbie) Bursack; step-grandchildren Gale (Melissa) Werner, Zachary Werner, Jared Bursack, Justin Bursack, Jennifer Gottfried, Nicholas (Karina) Srebrow, Mathew Srebrow, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Louie is further survived by loving friends too numerous to mention, but each who held a very special place in his heart and whose friendship was cherished. Special thanks are given to Geri Guyette of the Black Otter Supper Club, Hortonville, for all the meals and other loving care provided in recent years; to John Diamond, friend and neighbor, for always keeping a watchful eye; and to Dick & Karen Mooney of Florida for cooking Louie meals while residing down there for the winter months and providing transportation to and from his medical appointments. Louie was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Audrie; three brothers (Joseph Ray, Francis, and William) and four sisters (Magdalene, Mathilda, Lois, and Carol Ann); nephew Richard (Vietnam veteran), nephew Douglas, brother-in-law Allen Bahr, and father- and mother-in-law Harry and Margaret Bahr. A memorial service and celebration of Louies life will take place at 1 pm on Monday, Aug. 17 at Zion Lutheran Church, 400 N. Sawyer St., Oshkosh, where Louie was a member for the last several years, the Rev. Jeffrey Knoll officiating. Loved ones and friends will be received by the family at the church from 10 am until the time of service. Immediately following will be a procession to Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh, for a graveside service with full military honors and burial next to Audrie. In lieu of flowers it was Louies wish that memorials be made in his name to The High Ground, W7031 Ridge Rd., PO Box 457, Neillsville, WI 54456. They can also be made in his name online at http://www.thehighground.org/contribute/index.html. At the bottom of the online form is a line that says Note to Seller. Enter a note there that says your donation is in memory of Louis R. Hentz.The family wishes to thank the following for their loving care and compassion during Louies illness: Dr. Thomas Klinkhammer, Dr. Dan Kaiser, and all the other doctors, nurses, aides, and other caregivers at Mercy Medical Center, Fox Valley Hematology & Oncology, ThedaCare Physicians and ThedaCare at Home, Valley V.N.A. Senior Services, Bethel Home, and Affinity Visiting Nurses and Affinity Hospice Services, as well as the many friends who visited, called, wrote and helped cheer Louie during the past approximately 22 months.

Zion Lutheran Church



400 N Sawyer Street
Oshkosh
WI
54902

00:00.0
10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.



Zion Lutheran Church



400 N Sawyer Street
Oshkosh
WI
54902

00:00.0
1:00 p.m.



Lake View Memorial Park



2786 Algoma Bvld.
Oshkosh
WI
54901