Theodore ‘Teddy’ Robert Bartz, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Merrill on May 13, 2021, at the age of 63.
He was born on Aug. 2, 1956, to Robert and Audrey (Ball) Bartz in Elkhorn. Ted attended and graduated from Elkhorn High School and went on to complete a welding apprenticeship; he then became a part of his Local 434 pipefitter union.
He married Kathy Maki and together they had a son, Robert Bartz. Ted later met and married Deborah Scharnow, and the two exchanged marriage vows on Dec. 14, 1984, in Mauston. Together, they had four children, Perry, Becky, Jennifer and Amber.
Ted was a lifelong welder by trade and was the foreman of his union. He enjoyed traveling to different areas where he would take on various welding jobs; he was a very hard worker and put in long hours. Ted was a welding instructor at NTC in Wausau. He loved welding and enjoyed teaching it to up and coming welders.
Besides loving what he did for work, he was a proud masonic lodge member and looked forward to time spent with family, especially his beloved grandchildren – he was such a proud grandpa. In his younger years, he liked to hunt, trout fish, go on motorcycle rides, sit around a campfire and camp with family. Ted had a ferocious sweet tooth and would make the best brownies. He was a great listener and would talk on the phone for hours with anyone that needed to talk.
He enjoyed growing pumpkins for his children and grandchildren every year and was an avid birdwatcher. He also enjoyed visiting the ocean and having fresh seafood. Ted’s sidekick and fur-baby, Pryia, was always at his side. He will be sadly missed but in the hearts of his friends and family forever.
Ted is survived by his mother, Audrey Bartz, of Elkhorn; wife, Debbie Bartz, of Merrill; children, Perry (Teresa) Nelson of Merrill, Becky (Shawn) Baade of Merrill, Robert (Jaclyn) Bartz of Green Bay, Jennifer (Joe) Colstad of Stoughton and Amber (Corey) Meyer of Merrill; grandchildren, whom he adored, Tyler, Makayla, Christen, Crystal, Carter, Grey, Lilly, Drew, Aria, Robbie, Easton, Knox, Addison and soon to arrive, Finnely; sister, Audrey ‘Tayo’ Greene of Elkhorn, and his fur-baby, Pryia.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Bartz; and siblings, Mike and Marj.
A funeral service for Ted will be held on Saturday, May 22, at noon, at Waid Funeral Home in Merrill. The Rev. Adam Rodriguez will officiate. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service, also at the funeral home.
The service will be live-streamed for those that are unable to attend. It can be viewed under his obituary on the funeral home website and will begin at noon May 22.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating bird-watching books in Ted’s name to the T.B. Scott Library.
Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.
