A Central Wisconsin Music Icon has Passed Away
Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 -- 11:13 AM
(WDLB) -A central Wisconsin music icon has died.Howie Sturtz died Friday at the age of 87. The Howie Sturtz Orchestra entertained thousands over the past six-plus decades at dance halls, weddings and most notably??"the Central Wisconsin State Fair. Howie was born on July 5, 1930. He was a Loyal native, and showed great promise as a musician, joining the Loyal High School Senior band as a 7th grader, winning awards at local, district, and State competitions. In 1944, at the age of 14, Howie was hired to play trumpet with the Art Lucht Dance Band, and two years later assembled his own small orchestra. The Howie Sturtz Orchestra would eventually play thousands of dance jobs; perform hundreds of live TV shows; and record many albums.
Entertaining was in Howie’s blood, evidenced by the fact that he “retired” many times over the span of his 70-year musical career. A private funeral mass for Howie Sturtz will be held for immediate family only. Memorials may be made to the Loyal and Neillsville Food Pantries, and the Ronald McDonald House in Marshfield. The Gesche Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.
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