Joel Karnick
Herman “Hermie” Ronald Wartgow, age 96, of Butternut, WI went to be with his Lord
on Thursday, March 7, 2024, while at the Marshfield Medical Center in Park Falls, WI. He was
born January 19, 1928, in Butternut, the son of Herman August and Elsie Amelia (Linsmeyer)
Wartgow.
Herman attended Butternut Public School and graduated in 1946. He was drafted into the United
States Army and served from 1947 to 1951. He then worked road construction for Payne &
Dolin Company for several years. Herman married Gladys Bentz on October 27, 1951. Herman
began his career with Flambeau Paper Company in 1957 and worked there until his retirement in
1992 after 35 years. This past February 29, Herman celebrated 32 years of blissful retirement.
Herman’s life can be summarized in these three values: 1). He began each day thanking God for
another day. He valued every day of his life and all life. 2). He selflessly loved his wife Gladys
for 72 years, and always said she was the love of his life. 3). Herman would tell you he was the
richest man on earth because of the family they raised together. Everything in Herman’s life
centered around these three core values; the rest is just numbers and dates on a calendar. He was
a man who was loved and respected by many and will be dearly missed until we meet again.
Survivors include his wife, Gladys, of Butternut; daughters: Laura (Al) Koshak of Butternut,
Tammy (Purnendu) Vasavada of River Falls, WI, Peggy (Warren) Draeger of Ashland, WI and
his honorary daughter, Becky (Dennis) Boushon; grandchildren: Nikki (Ben) Nelson, Deanna
(Randy) Walker, Matthew (Kimberly) Draeger and Kathryn (Leo) Hanson; great-grandchildren:
Johanna, Julie, Jordan, Jenna, Jensyn & Joseph Nelson, Colton & Grady Walker, Rosie & Sylvie
Draeger, Trigg, Rilyn & Baby Hanson. Herman is also survived by two sisters-in-law: Marion
Russell and Erna Rosten, along with nieces, nephews, and countless friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, two brothers and their wives: Lynn
(Florine) and Dean (Marilyn) Wartgow; father- and mother-in-law Fred and Pauline Bentz; three
brothers-in-law: Harlan Bentz, Howard “Jack” Russell, Eugene Rosten; niece Sandy Jirschele
and nephew David Rosten.
A gathering of family and friends will begin at noon at the Peace Lutheran Church in Park Falls
on Saturday, March 16, 2024, until the memorial service begins at 1:00 pm with Reverend
Samuel Morsching officiating. Military Honors under the auspices of the Butternut American
Legion Post ZYK 272 will follow the service at the Peace Lutheran Church.
Interment will take place at the Butternut Union Cemetery, Butternut, WI at a later date.
The family is being assisted by Mountain Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ashland WI.
Online condolences may be left at MountainFuneralHomes.com.
