Bernice "Bernie" Ertl

Bernice “Bernie” Esther (Kottmann) Ertl, (96), of Watertown, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Monday, October 8, 2018 at Park Terrace.

She was born on March 5, 1922 in Watertown to Arthur H. and Esther V. Kottmann. She attended Watertown public and high schools, graduated class of 1940, and married Ralph “Butch” O. Ertl on September 1, 1945. Bernie worked in the office of Mid States Shoe Company from 1940 to 1947, Montgomery Ward as bookkeeper for the catalog department and for the credit department of Sears, Roebuck until she was appointed Deputy City Clerk, City of Watertown by City Manager Claire Congdon. She served as City Clerk for 26 years under Mr. Congdon, Mayors White, Bentzin, Wilkes, Kolata and Thiel, and retired in 1984.

She was a life-long member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, AARP and was a member of the Watertown Country Club for many years. She enjoyed traveling, reading, working in her yard, having an occasional Old-Fashioned, chocolate, cheering for the Packers, caring for her feline friend Tabby and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Cherie Reed Wester; Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin; two granddaughters, Tamara (Michael) Hoehn, Denver, Colorado; Shannon (Craig) Ruegg, Hartford, Wisconsin; five great-grandchildren, Cameron, Connor and Claire Hoehn; Georgia and Greta Ruegg; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ralph and her sons-in-law C. James Reed and Wayne N. Wester.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Home in Watertown. Visitation will be held from 9:00AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Bernie will be laid to rest following the service in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Those wishing to express sympathy may make a memorial in her name to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Home is serving the family. To place an online-condolence, please visit pn-fh.com.