Bernard "Ben" Nickolas Ertl

Bernard “Ben” Nickolas Ertl, 96 of Litchfield, passed away Thursday, March 28, 2019 at the Meeker Manor Rehabilitation Center in Litchfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at St. Phillip Catholic Church in Litchfield. Fr. Jeff Horejsi will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, both at Church of St. Philip. Parish prayers will be at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the church followed by Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30 p.m. Arrangements are with the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral and Cremation Service. Bernard “Ben” Ertl was born on April 9, 1922 at Watkins to Theodore and Katharine (Heinrichs) Ertl. He grew up and received his education at District 44 school in Rural Watkins. On September 14, 1950, Ben was united in marriage to Marion “June” Fisher at St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Forest City and they resided at Litchfield. Ben worked at the Woolen Mills for a short time. He was then employed at Dahl Tire for 32 years. After retirement, Ben worked as a custodian at the Litchfield High School for 16 years. Ben was a member of St. Phillip Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. His hobbies included woodworking. Ben is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marion Ertl of Litchfield; children, Loretta Ertl of St. Cloud, Vince (Debby) Ertl of Marshall, Vern Ertl of Alachua, FL, Erv (Kathy) Ertl of Apple Valley, Greg Ertl of Minneapolis, Jeff (Denise) Ertl of Cokato; 5 granddaughters, 1 grandson, 3 step grandsons, 5 step great grandchildren; special family friend, Mary Stenger of St. Cloud. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Anthony, Mathias, Joseph and Esadore Ertl; sisters, Alvina Ertl and Elizabeth Zumach. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Meeker Memorial Hospital, Meeker Manor Rehabilitation Center and Dr. Richard Searl for the excellent care given to Ben.