Florence Rietbrock

Florence N. Rietbrock, age 86, of Elkhart Lake, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning on June 19, 2021, at Cedar Bay Community.

Florence was born on May 19, 1935, to Edgar and Elsie (Rades) Barts in Manitowoc. She attended school at the Town of Meeme. Florence was married to Norman Rietbrock were united in marriage on December 15, 1951, in Dubuque, Iowa.

Florence worked as a farm wife until 1974 when they sold the farm. She dedicated her time and energy to raising three children on the farm and making sure everything else ran smoothly. She did all the cooking, baking, and cleaning on the farm that kept it running. She loved gardening vegetables and flowers, and she had a very large garden.  She canned nearly everything she grew.

Throughout her life, Florence greatly enjoyed going to polka dances. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She spent as much time as she could babysitting the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She really loved to camp with her family and friends.

Florence will be missed by three sons, Donald (Nancy) of Elkhart Lake, Gerald (Danice) of Howards Grove and Larry (Marie) Rietbrock of Elkhart Lake; one stepdaughter, Darlene Pieper of New Holstein; grandchildren, Ben (Jenny), Carie (Mike) Olson, Michelle (Jerome) Lucious, Stacy (Nate) Miller, Krista (Nick) Salm, Jessica (Chris) Daley, Jeremy, Ashley (Jordan Lierman), and Kaitlin; seventeen great-grandchildren; brother, Glenroy Barts; and many other relatives and friends.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, on September 8, 2003; stepdaughter, Margene (Carlos) Miller; infant daughter; son-in-law, Bob Pieper; brothers, Merlin and Jimmy; and sister, Marlene.

A public visitation will be held for Florence on Monday, June 28, 2021, at St. John’s UCC – Schwarzwald from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Pastor Melinda Feller will officiate Florence’s private committal service at Bethel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Florence’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff with Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice – especially Michelle H. They would also like to thank the staff at Cedar Bay in Elkhart Lake for their wonderful care.