Herman O. Kersten

Herman Otto Kersten, age 89 of the Township of Wyoming, Waupaca County, passed away on Friday evening, January 24, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.

Herman was born in Tigerton on February 9, 1935, in the same house in which he passed away, to the late Otto F. and Myrel (Stanley) Kersten. He attended grade school at Blue Ribbon School and later graduated from Tigerton High School in 1952. He was a charter member of the Tigerton FFA and was recently recognized on their 75th anniversary. He married Joan Rettkowski on July 12, 1958 in the little white church in Tigerton. A veteran of the United States Army, he served hiscountry with honor from 1955 to 1957 which included several parachute jumps in Germany. After honeymooning in Canada, Herman and Joan began married life in Kenosha and started their family. They relocated to a small home on Kluck Road in the town of Harrison in the late ‘60’s to raise their girls out of the city. After raising his family, he purchased the home farm on Seefeldt Road where he resided until his passing. He spent most of his working career as a carpenter, first in Kenosha and then for Torberg Lumber in Clintonville. He was proud of his specialty, plastering, leaving his mark on countless homes with his impeccable attention to detail. The stilts he used to reach many a ceiling still hang from the basement rafters. He loved the outdoors but especially enjoyed trout fishing in local streams and spending time on various lakes in northern Wisconsin and Lake Gogebic in Michigan. One of his prize catches was a 46 1/2”, 24 lb.10 oz. Northern Pike, which landed him a Master Angler award in 1989. That trophy has been proudly displayed on the living room wall along with other fish, turkey, and whitetail bucks.

Survivors include: Joan, his wife of 66 years. Two daughters: Pam (Mark) Rostagno and Kathy (Steve) Breaker. Grandchildren: Emmy Rostagno, Alex Rostagno, Jenna Breaker and Ben Breaker. Sister: Bonnie Hidde. Brothers-in-law: John Rettkowski and Ronald Rettkowski. Numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter - Sherry Lynn, his parents - Otto and Myrel Kersten, sister and brother-in-law Betty and Ernie Nero, and sister Elaine Kersten, mother-in-law Hazel Rettkowski, father-in-law Otto Rettkowski, brothers-in-law Otto (Junior) Rettkowski, Ervin Rettkowski and Harold Hidde.

Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tigerton on Friday, January 31, 2025 with Pastor Dean Suehring officiating. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Following the service, graveside committal will take place at Union Cemetery in Tigerton with military honors conducted be members of the American Legion #239 of Tigerton. Casual dress is preferred by the family. Great appreciation and thanks to the loving staff at ThedaCare Hospice for their compassion and care to Herman & his family over the past 3 months, and for Pastor Dean Suehring for supporting Herman in his final hours. Heather, dad looked forward to your visits and we will all miss seeing you. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Tigerton is assisting the family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com

"God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day, and when it comes to my last cast, I then must humbly pray; When in the Lord's safe landing net I'm peacefully asleep, That in His mercy, I be judged good enough to keep".