Martin Barts

Martin N. Barts, of Elkhart Lake, passed away on Friday, October 10th, at his cabin in the woods, with his loving family at his side. Martin was born on September 9th, 1945, the son of the late Arno and Anita Barts. He was born and raised in Howards Grove, attended Howards Grove High School, and retired from Kohler Company after more than 40 years of being a dedicated and hard worker for Kohler. As a child, Marty displayed an interest and talent in drawing. Although he never pursued his love for drawing as a career, he continued to paint throughout his life and was called upon many times to render drawings for the family, most recently painting milk cans for his daughter, Susan. In 1988, Marty married his loving wife, Shirley, who he was devoted to and missed dearly since her passing three years ago. They spent their life together enjoying their trips to Oneida, the nature and beauty that surrounded them in their log cabin in the woods, feeding the cardinals and blue jays, and spending time with family; family gatherings with Marty's brothers and sisters and many holidays and events with children and grandchildren. Christmas was always a special holiday with Grandpa Marty and Grandma Shirley spending days in advance preparing for the more than 40 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that would spend Christmas Eve at the cabin; a wonderful and cherished memory that will remain with us always. As granddaughter, Melissa, wrote, "Grandpa Marty married into our crazy, big, out of this world family when he married our Grandma. He watched all of the grandchildren grow, came to all of our games and events, worked hard, built us toys, fixed our bikes; you name it and he did it willingly, always doing what he could for anyone that needed a helping hand. He did so much for us when he really never had to. He may have been our "step" dad/grandpa but I think all of us would agree that he was so much more. A part of you left this world when Grandma died. Today you are together again. For that we are all very grateful." Marty is survived by seven children and grandchildren: Michael (Linda) Frasch, Barbara (James) Horneck, Lori Schoen, (John Schoen), Steven (Hong) Frasch, Sandra Bauer, Susan (John) Born, and Sharon Romenesko; 12 grandchildren; Angela (Heath) Carpenter, Daniel (Duste) Horneck and Stacy Horneck, Amanda Frasch and Whitney (Andrew) Bunge, Bradley and Melissa Born, Justin and Eric Bauer, Nicholas and Megan Kunstman, and Michelle Prettie; eight great-grandchildren; Kyle and Tyler Carpenter, Sawyer and Harlow Horneck, Derrik and Felix Frasch, Spencer Bunge, and Oliver Kunstman. He is also survived by one brother, Marvin Barts, five sisters, Lucille (Melvin) Wilsing, Laverne (Tom) Weber, Linda Grapentine, Loretta (Gary) Fischer, and LuAnne (Glen) Gernentz; one brother-in-law Allen Lindekugel, sister-in-law, Karen Lindekugel and Shirley's sister, Judy, and other nieces, nephews and friends. Marty was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley, her daughter, Peggy Frasch, great-grandson, Chase Horneck, his brother Fritz, his sister Lorraine Lindekugel, his sister-in-law, Pauline Barts, and three brothers-in-law, James Krueger, Michael Grapentine, and Michael Buchner. Marty was a member of First Congregational Church, Sheboygan. Private family services will be held Wednesday, October 15th at 4:00 pm at Zimmer's Westview Funeral and Cremation Care Center( Hwy 42 & JJ, Howards Grove). An open visitation will follow from 5:00 to 6:00 at the funeral home. Although it was hard, Marty wanted to spend his last days at home in the peaceful surroundings of the cabin he loved. This was possible because of the loving care and support that was provided by his brother and sisters, his niece Bobbi Joe, and his children, especially daughter Susan and her son, Bradley, who stayed with Marty at the cabin these past few weeks. Honoring Marty's last wishes was our final way of saying, "Thank you, Marty, for the wonderful care and love you gave to our Mother. You were a blessing to her and provided her with much happiness and for that we will always be grateful. May you finally rest in peace with Mom".