Nelda Bartz

Nelda Pearl Bartz of Port Washington passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. She was 89.  

Nelda was born the daughter of Nelson and Norma (Hewitt) Santerno on Sept. 8, 1931, in Crandon, Wis.  

She especially enjoyed long walks through Port Washington and bus trips from the Senior Center to see shows and try her luck at the casinos they traveled to.  

Nelda was an avid pool player and belonged to the R&R and Senior Center pool leagues. She was also a member of the Harbor Hills bowling league for many years. Nelda appreciated a good game of sheepshead, rummy and jigsaw puzzles.  

Nelda worked at both St. Alphonsus and Columbia St. Mary’s hospitals for many years.  She was a nurse’s aide in the maternity department and nursery. Her happy place was seeing new life come into the world.  She loved babies.  

That love for babies followed through to her grandchildren. Nelda cherished the time babysitting for them, leaving fond memories for each one of them. Her biggest asset was listening to others with a compassionate heart.

Nelda is survived by her children Elizabeth (Raymond) Roberts of Port Washington, David (Rhonda) Bartz of Glendale, Jeannie (Dale) Noll of Port Washington and Tracie (Jimmy) Schoeder of Port Washington; grandchildren Melissa, Jason, Paul, Aaron, Aubrey, Ryan, Tami, Ashley and Nicholas; 11 great-grandchildren; and siblings Shirley (Ron) Wilber, Clinton Wilber, Merle (Sharon) Wilber and Hazel Sauve.

Nelda is further survived by her special friend Joe Lanthier, numerous nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Glen, granddaughter Amy Rammel, her sisters Anita Kaufman, Carol and Caroline Santerno and brothers Gene Santerno and Gordon Wilber.

A memorial service for Nelda will be held at a future date.

Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.