Dale S. Kertis, age 83, of the Town of Grant, Portage County, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2026, in Gold Canyon, Arizona.
Known as “Porkchop” to friends and “Bompie” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Dale will be remembered for his strong work ethic, ingenuity, love of family, and zest for life.
Born February 22, 1943, to Steve and Amanda (Saeger) Kertis, Dale attended Grant Elementary School and began working on the family farm before becoming a logger. In 1966, he moved to Belvidere, Illinois, to work at the Chrysler Automotive Plant. He later became plant manager at O’Mac Company in Capron, Illinois, where he worked for 31 years.
Dale eventually returned to Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, where he worked with local cranberry marshes and potato farmers. A talented fabricator, he also helped manufacture Trail Blade grooming equipment with his brother Dick.
He enjoyed playing Sheepshead, watching NASCAR, snowmobiling, and golfing.
Dale is survived by his daughter, Karla (Jeff) Pearson; grandchildren Kelsey (Nick) Heslop and Kirsten (Darren) Heslop; step-grandchildren Christopher, Kyle (April), Ashley (Jon), and Noah Pearson; great-grandchildren Alice and Adler Heslop, and a third great-grandchild expected soon; step-great-grandchildren Annika, Deklan, KayLeigh, Adalynn, and KamDyn; brother James (Jeanette) Kertis; sister-in-law Kathy Kertis; brother-in-law Robert “Bob” (Debbie) Beyer; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Birdine Courter and Donna Kertis; brothers Laverne, Gilbert, and Richard “Dick” Kertis; and niece Tina Pearson.
A celebration of life will be held June 14, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a eulogy and toast at 11:45 a.m., at Ponderosa Pines Restaurant in Bancroft, Wisconsin.
