John Rolland Gartzke

John Rolland Gartzke, age 74, of Blue Earth, died Saturday, December 5, 2015, at VA Medical Center in Minneapolis.A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 11, 2015, at 11:00 AM, at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth. Burial will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, at a later date. Visitation time will be 1 hour before the service at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 400 E. 14th Street in Blue Earth. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.comHe was born August 8, 1941, at Blue Earth, the son of Roland and Iona (Ahrens) Gartzke. He was baptized September 7, 1941, and confirmed May 29, 1955 at St. Paul''s Lutheran Church. He graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1959. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force on October 12, 1959 and was discharged on October 11, 1963. Returning from active duty he moved to Watertown, WI and started Watertown Office Equipment, and served on the city council. In 2000 he worked in industrial maintenance until retiring in 2003. He and Jan Anderson moved to Blue Earth in 2004, and they were united in marriage on May 14, 2007. While in Blue Earth he served on the city council until his passing. John & Jan enjoyed traveling in their motor home, watching football and basketball on T.V. especially the Green Bay Packers and 2nd the Minnesota Vikings, Wisconsin Badgers, Minnesota Gophers, and spending hours on the internet:-) He is survived by his wife, Janet Gartzke, daughter, Carla Walters, daughter, Nancee Bauman, son, Robert Gartzke, daughter, Susan Gartzke, step son, Scott Landsee, step son, Stephen Landsee, step daughter, Sue (Landsee) Guerra, 7 grandchildren, 1 step granddaughter, 1 great grandchild, aunt, nephews, cousins, and faithful labs Kody & Katylynn.He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Rhonda Lunning.