Florence Rietbrock

Florence N. Rietbrock, age 86, of Elkhart Lake, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning on
June 19, 2021, at Cedar Bay Community.
Florence was born on May 19, 1935, to Edgar and Elsie (Rades) Barts in Manitowoc. She
attended school at the Town of Meeme. Florence was married to Norman Rietbrock were united
in marriage on December 15, 1951, in Dubuque, Iowa.
Florence worked as a farm wife until 1974 when they sold the farm. She dedicated her time and
energy to raising three children on the farm and making sure everything else ran smoothly. She
did all the cooking, baking, and cleaning on the farm that kept it running. She loved gardening
vegetables and flowers, and she had a very large garden. She canned nearly everything she
grew.
Throughout her life, Florence greatly enjoyed going to polka dances. She thoroughly enjoyed
spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She spent as much time
as she could babysitting the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She really loved to camp
with her family and friends.
Florence will be missed by three sons, Donald (Nancy) of Elkhart Lake, Gerald (Danice) of
Howards Grove and Larry (Marie) Rietbrock of Elkhart Lake; one stepdaughter, Darlene Pieper
of New Holstein; grandchildren, Ben (Jenny), Carie (Mike) Olson, Michelle (Jerome) Lucious,
Stacy (Nate) Miller, Krista (Nick) Salm, Jessica (Chris) Daley, Jeremy, Ashley (Jordan
Lierman), and Kaitlin; seventeen great-grandchildren; brother, Glenroy Barts; and many other
relatives and friends.
Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, on September 8, 2003; stepdaughter,
Margene (Carlos) Miller; infant daughter; son-in-law, Bob Pieper; brothers, Merlin and Jimmy;
and sister, Marlene.
A public visitation will be held for Florence on Monday, June 28, 2021, at St. John’s UCC –
Schwarzwald from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Pastor Melinda Feller will officiate Florence’s private committal service at Bethel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
Florence’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff with Sharon S. Richardson
Community Hospice – especially Michelle H. They would also like to thank the staff at Cedar
Bay in Elkhart Lake for their wonderful care.
To leave a message of sympathy for the family, please visit www.zimmerfuneralhome.com.