Constance “Connie” Lee Ertmer, age 87, of Omro, WI, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 14, 1937, in Freeport, Illinois to the late Ralph and Dorothy (Ertmer) Rife.

Connie attended Freeport Aquin High School in Freeport, IL.  On September 1, 1956, she married Eugene “Gene” Francis Ertmer in Elizabeth, Illinois. She helped her husband with farming, raising both hogs and beef cattle. In 1973, Gene and Connie moved their family to Omro, WI to operate a dairy farm.

In 1985, they sold the dairy operation and built a retirement home on a scenic, wooded parcel of the original farm. They traveled extensively throughout the U.S. pulling a travel trailer behind their pickup truck. When Gene passed in 2012, Connie moved to the City of Omro to be closer to family and friends.  

Connie was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Winneconne and Omro, where she often donated her time and delicious baked goods. Connie also volunteered regularly at the Food Pantry in Omro, WI. She enjoyed reading, cooking, painting and most of all spending time with her family. She was a very talented artist, painting many outdoor/nature scenes on canvas and Christmas ornaments for all her children and grandchildren. She was an avid golfer, bowler, and enjoyed watching sports teams. She was a dedicated fan of the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Bucks, and several PGA golfers.

Connie is survived by her children, Randy (Debbie) Ertmer, Kathy Ertmer (Roy Magnuson), Terry (Pamela) Ertmer, Brian Ertmer (Anna Queram), Sue (Mark) Mitchell, and Phil (Gretchen) Ertmer; sixteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Tom (Nancy) Rife; and two sisters, Julie (Randy) Jobgen, and Marg (Tom) Gulovich.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; her parents; three siblings, Carol (Tippett) Fischer, Don Rife, Jack Rife; and one great-grandson, Jack Ebben.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home, 904 E. Main St. Winneconne, WI. Visitation will continue on Friday, October 11 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 210 Pleasant Dr., Winneconne, WI. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 11 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. The Mass will be live streamed on the www.stmarychurches.org site, use the St. Mary's Winneconne Live Stream link. Burial will follow at the St. Thomas Cemetery, Poygan.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

If you wish, please submit online condolences/memories to muellerfh.net.