Robert L. Maertz, age 80, of West Bend, passed away Sunday August 3, 2008, at St. Joseph's Hospital, West Bend.
He was born on August 3, 1928 in Milwaukee to the late Peter and Katherine (nee Lamping) Maertz, and graduated from West Division High School in the class of 1946.
Shortly after high school Bob served in the United States Army. After his discharge he spent many years working for Mercury Marine, lastly in Fond du Lac.
On May 30, 1952 Bob was united in marriage to Carol Kabelowsky at St. Marcus Ev. Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. They made their home in Milwaukee until moving to Hartford in 1968, and West Bend in 1976.
He was a member of St. Andrew Ev. Lutheran Church, and the West Bend Moose Lodge # 1398. Bob and Carol were dance instructors for the West Bend Recreation Department for many years. He enjoyed bowling, and was an avid sports fan, especially rooting for the Packers. Bob was also a former gymnast for the Turner Society in Milwaukee.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; seven children, Randal Maertz of West Bend, Bradley Maertz of Independence, Christine (Christopher) Hubbard of Cedarburg, Kendal Maertz of Crandon, Stan (Amy) Maertz of Kewaskum, Lisa (Eric) Mayer of Whitehall, and Annette (Patrick Kent) Otten of West Bend; 13 grandchildren, Danton, Danah, Tajsha, Erica, Lacy, Peter, Dakota, Dillon, Kirk, Kyle, Robert, Maxwell, and Braden; three great-grandchildren, Jaime, Ayden, and Emma; three sisters-in-law, Laverne Maertz of Milwaukee, Karin (Tim) Walther of Waukesha, and Andrea (Mike) Abel of Sussex; four brothers-in-law, Arthur (Jan) Kabelowsky of Sussex, Jerome (Nancy) Kabelowsky of Hartford, Brian (Linda) Kabelowsky of Wauwatosa, and Wayne (Mary) Kabelowsky of Waukesha; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Catherine and her husband Jim Mejchar, and Mary and her husband Roland Nuoeffer, along with a brother John Maertz.
Funeral services in remembrance of Bob will be held on Thursday August 7th at 1:00 pm at St. Andrew Ev. Lutheran Church (7750 HWY 144 N.) West Bend. Rev. Robert Korytowski will officiate and burial will follow in Washington County Memorial Park. Visitation will be Thursday at the church only from 10:00 am until the time of service. Memorials to St. Andrew Church are appreciated.