Private Family Services will be held for Jerome "Butch" Ertz, age 77, of O'Neill.  Fr. Bernard Starman will officiate.  Butch passed away Sunday, March 22, 2020 at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in memory of Butch Ertz.   Biglin's Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jerome David Ertz was born January 23, 1943 in Butte, Nebraska to Frank H. and Stella (Sharp) Ertz.   He attended Butte Grade School and Lynch High School.

He married Anna Marie "Pee-Wee" Wells on November 23, 1963 at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Lynch, NE.    To this union four children were born; David, Allen, Laura, and Brent.

The couple moved to O'Neill in 1964 where Butch worked for Davidson Plumbing and Heating for many years.  He then went to work in the maintenance department at Valley Hope in O'Neill.

Butch loved fishing, playing cards; his favorite card game was pitch, and playing cornhole.  In his early years, he enjoyed building and working on stock cars and racing them in O'Neill and Stuart.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Anna Marie Ertz of O'Neill;  his children, David Ertz and Raylene of O'Neill and his children, Garett, Trevor, Cheyenne, and Martina; Allen Ertz of O'Neill and his children,  Britnee, Easton, Hunter, Allee, and  Pyper;  Laura and husband Don O'Bryan of O'Neill and their children, Codey and Zeb; Brent and wife Angie Ertz of O'Neill and their children, Cassandra, Madison, Brandon Hopson, and Doreena Hopson; 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Sharon "Toots" Hrbek and husband Carson of Norfolk, NE; many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Frank H. and Stella Ertz; grandson, Anthony Ertz; brother, Frank V. Ertz; and sister Eileen Ludemann.