Funeral services for Herbert W. Ladwig, age 81, of Albert Lea, will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate. Burial will be at Bear Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be today, Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the services at the Church. To sign the guestbook, goto www.bayviewfuneral.com

Herb died on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004 at the Albert Lea Medical Center after a tenacious struggle with chronic illnesses.

Herbert William Ladwig was born on May 23, 1923 in Putbus, Germany, the son of William and Anna (Sens) Ladwig. The family emigrated to America in 1924 settling in Banks, Minn., south of Wells. Herb attended schools in Faribault County. From the age of 11, he worked as a hired hand on different

area farms. On Oct. 5, 1947, he was united in marriage to Viola Wichmann at Concordia Bear Lake Church. Herb worked for Wilson’s for 37 years and as a Greenview Worker at Myre-Big Island State Park for 15 years. Herb also farmed all of his life, either on his own farm or lending his expertise to his sons. He enjoyed following his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. Watching baseball, playing his accordion, listening to old time music, especially Bandwagon, and ballroom dancing with Viola were important to Herb. He also studied geography and maps for his own use as well as sharing his knowledge with others. Herb was a member and the treasurer for the Day by Day AA for many years. He and Viola are long time members of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his wife, Viola; children: Glenda and husband Doug Spiotta of Shakopee, William and wife Julie Ladwig of Hartland, Steven and wife Jodi Ladwig of Albert Lea, and Thomas and wife Susan Ladwig of Pelican Rapids. Minn.;

grandchildren: John and Amy Spiotta, Jill, Travis, Nate, Josh, Matt, Katherine and Annie Ladwig;

sister, Mattie and husband Martin Obermeyer of Walters; brother-in-law, Howard and wife Pat Oletzke; sisters-in-law: Lucille Ladwig, Frieda Sorensen, Leona Newman, Alma DeBoer, Muriel Gries, Verle Wichmann and Shirley Wichmann; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Herb was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gertrude Oletzke; and brother, Heinz Ladwig.

Blessed be his memory.