Theodore 'Ted' Bartz

Theodore ‘Teddy’ Robert Bartz, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Merrill, on Thursday, May 13,

2021, at the age of 63. He was born on August 2, 1956 to Robert and Audrey (Ball) Bartz in Elkhorn, WI.

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 then met and married Deborah Scharnow, and the two

exchanged marriage vows on December 14, 1984 in Mauston, WI. Together, they had 4 children, Perry,

Becky, Jennifer and Amber.

Ted was a life-long 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 he

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. Ted enjoyed

growing pumpkins for his children and grandchildren every year and he 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 Hoekstra 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, WI and Amber (Corey) Meyer of Merrill, his 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, WI and his fur-baby: Pryia. He was preceded in death by

his father: Robert Bartz, siblings: Mike and Marj.

A funeral service for Ted will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 12 noon at Waid Funeral Home in

Merrill. Pastor Adam Rodriguez will officiate. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021 from

10am 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 12 noon.

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. Online

condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com