Ronald “Ron” Henry Hartzell, age 81, of Birchwood, Wis., died Wed., Aug. 21, 2019, at the Heritage Lakeside in Rice Lake, Wis.

He was born on March 17, 1938, in Edgerton, Wis., to Henry and Mildred (Fenrick) Hartzell. Ron graduated from the Edgerton High School, graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with a degree in biology. He played college baseball and was in the concert band. He continued his education graduating from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., with a Master of Science Degree in Education. He was married to Dianne Foss in 1961 in Preston, Minn., and they later divorced. Ron was a high school biology teacher in Menomonee Falls, Wis., and coached basketball and girls and boys tennis for many years. After his retirement he became a massage therapist called Keep in Touch Massage in Birchwood, Wis., and was active in the Birchwood Schools as an athletic trainer for all sports. He enjoyed fishing, watching the birds, spending summers on Spider Lake, and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and loved going to spring training. He enjoyed playing his drums in a band at the Bluegill Bar in Birchwood.

He is survived by his loving companion, Karen Allen of Birchwood, Wis.; three children, Lanie (Dan) Zimmermann of Franklin, Wis., Susie (Louie) Sandow of Plainfield, Wis., and David (Jody) Hartzell of Oshkosh, Wis.; six grandchildren, Leah (Joe) Bushman, Melanie (Garret) Stone, Louie (Alyse) Sandow, Cora Sandow (Fiance Drew Meyer), Brynn Hartzell and Meg Hartzell; four great grandchildren, Lucy, Charlie, Thatcher and Cohen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mildred Hartzell.

A celebration of his life was held Aug. 30, 2019, at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, Luther Tolo officiating, with interment in the Jenson Cemetery in Edgerton, Wis. A special thank you goes to Heritage Manor and Heritage Lakeside for their special care they gave to Ron for taking wonderful care of him for many years.

Memorials would be appreciated to a scholarship fund that is going to be set up for a Birchwood (Wis.) High School student that will go into the field of education.