Benjamin O. Stertz, 71
Benjamin O. Stertz, age 71, passed into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, December 1, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.
Ben was born at home in Pierre, SD on February 20, 1950, to Fredrick and Mary Ellen (Burger) Stertz. He married his childhood sweetheart, Maureen (Larson) Stertz on November 18, 1967. They had just celebrated 54 years of marriage.
Ben’s strong Christian faith and his relationship with his Lord were a priority in his life. He was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church for 37 years. He was also a lifetime member of the Stevens Point Noon Optimist Club.
Ben worked for his father’s construction business and was proud to have been a part of a crew that helped build the Oahe Dam at Pierre, SD. Following that he became a baker and quickly achieved master baker certification. He worked in various bakeries for sixteen years in Pierre, Ft. Dodge, IA, and Mason City, IA.
His dream was always to own his own business which brought him and the family to Stevens Point in 1984. For the next 26 years, he owned and operated six on-location and disaster restoration cleaning franchises.
After selling the businesses, he drove motorcoach part-time for several years. He fully retired in 2018.
In retirement he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially relishing his role as “Papa” to his grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing the game of pickleball, reading, watching old westerns, spending time in his hot tub which he referred to as his think tank. Traveling to Florida and Texas in the winter was a highlight for him to escape Wisconsin winters.
Ben is survived by his wife, Maureen, his daughter, Renee (Brian) Bounds of Austin, TX, his son, Robert (Deborah) Stertz, Akron, Ohio, his daughter, Rhae (Tom) Zenner, of Stevens Point, grandchildren, Samantha, Spencer, Hannah, Emily, Ryan, Ethan, Emma, Chloe, Evan, Isaac, Tonie, Margo, Bailey, Kayla and Wade, and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Lee (Jo) Stertz, Raymond (Joan) Stertz, sisters, Elaine Scott and Mary Ann Erickson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Fredrick and Henry Stertz, and sisters Catherine Stertz and Delores Wells Hargen.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 9 from 4-6 pm at Boston Funeral Home. A service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stevens Point on Friday, December 10 at 11 am.
There will also be a visitation on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. A memorial is set up for St. Paul Lutheran School.