HERBERT POETZL obituary

JOPLIN - Herbert Joseph "Herb" Poetzl, 95, died Friday, Oct. 3, 2003, at a Chester nursing home.

A funeral service was scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester with the Rev. Pete Erickson of Our Savior's Lutheran Church officiating. Burial was to follow in the family plot at the Joplin Cemetery.

Herb was born on March 25, 1908, at Winona, Minn., to Joseph and Bertha (Kellerman) Poetzl. His parents moved to Springdale, Wash., when he was still an infant and moved to Montana in the winter of 1912. They homesteaded 10 miles northwest of Joplin. They eventually moved to a farm nine miles north of Joplin, and Herb attended the Meldrum country school near there.

Herb and his brother, Franklin, both confirmed bachelors, lived and worked on the Poetzl farm throughout their lives. Franklin died in 1972. Herb remained active in the farming operations until 1998, when his health began to fail. He moved to the Liberty County Nursing Home in Chester where he resided until his death.

Herb took care of his parents and his brother during their last illnesses. He loved all kinds of animals and always had a ffew favorite pet cats throughout the years. During his quiet time at home, Herb enjoyed watching rodeo events on TV, reading farm publications, and playing the harmonica. He loved life as a Montana farmer and his favorite hobby was simply working on the farm. He also enjoyed dozer work on his D-6 Caterpillar. He was essentially a homebody, but always looked forward to his annual trip to the Flathead Valley for huckleberrties. He also enjoyed riding around the local countryside to check out the crops.

Herb was philanthropic, but his gifts were always personal and private.

Herb is survived by several cousins, neighbors and friends.