Ivan J. Reetz

Ivan James Reetz, April 20, 1938- March 26, 2020. He was born in
Neshkoro, WI to Gertrude and Albert Reetz. On September 7, 1963 he married the
love of his life, Betty Rabbit. They moved to Fond du lac, WI where Ivan spent
almost 40 years as a mechanic at Friday Canning Company. Ivan and Betty raised
4 children, Dan (Beth) of Burlington, WI, Cathy Carlson (Bob) of Northfield,
MN, Paul (Laura) of Fond du Lac, WI, and Brian (Jamie) of Verona, WI. Ivan and
Betty were blessed with 8 grandchildren (Jacob, Samuel, Emma, Jenna, Josh,
Ella, Evie, and Abe) whom he cherished. He is survived by them, his sister
Janet (Emil) Bohn of Neshkoro, WI, and sister in law Mary (John) Detert,
Fond du Lac, WI, and many nieces and nephews. Ivan was preceded in death by his
wife Betty, his parents, and many other people special to him. 

 

Ivan valued his family above all else. Through his love for
Betty they modeled the importance of being together. He was a wonderful
listener, supporter, and mentor. He welcomed his son and daughter in-laws into
the family and treated them with great kindness. His grandchildren will not
forget reading books, playing cards, popping popcorn, getting tractor rides,
watching or helping him build in his workshop. He embraced every moment he had
with his family and expressed this through his kind words and gestures. Family
gatherings always included Ivan saying how much he loved everyone and how
blessed he was, and then he would shed a few tears of joy.  

 

Ivan was a man who loved spending time tinkering, overhauling
and inventing in his workshop.  He reveled in watching his birds who came
to visit each day. Taking adventures to places no one else really wanted to
visit was probably his favorite hobby, and he always managed to convince a
friend or family member to go along. The catch was, he never took the same
roads back. His sense of humor was contagious as he found something funny about
each day and loved to share it with others. If you had time for Ivan, he had
time for you.  He had a natural ability to make a friend out of everyone
he met – whether it be the grocery store clerks, church folk, farmers,
neighbors, or random people everywhere. 
Ivan was a good-hearted genuine man and he shared that with everyone.

 

Celebrate his life!  Services at a future date. 

 

Memorial donations can be directed to: St.
Vincent de Paul Society 330 N. Peters Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI  54935 

 

Guestbook and tribute wall may
be found by visiting ueckerwitt.com.