Ernst Luthi
Ernst Luthi age 83 of Menomonie, formerly of Stanley, died Sunday June 22, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family.
Ernst was born August 8, 1930 in Tagerschen, Switzerland, the son Matthias and Maria (Goldenger) Luthi. As a young man, Ernst worked as coffee plantation supervisor in Brazil for several years. He also worked in Ecuador and Costa Rica and returned to Switzerland where he met and married Ruth Schatzmann June 22, 1964. After marriage they lived in Canada before moving to the United States. They lived in Chicago, Milwaukee and moved to Stanley, WI in 1978 where they owned and operated a dairy farm and later transitioned into raising sheep. In 2012 they moved to Menomonie due to Ernst’s ill health, to be closer to family.
When he was younger he was a world traveler, he spoke seven languages. Ernst was an avid reader, and was able to learn several languages on his own. While farming he was innovative in crop rotational farming, strip farming and organic farming.
Ernst is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ruth, two sons, Stephan (Tiffani) of Bloomer; Christian (Sandy) El Paso, TX; one daughter, Barbara (David) Stange of Menomonie; six grandchildren, Matthew, Elizabeth, Gabriel and Isaiah Stange; Christian Luthi and Anthony Bachmann; four sisters, Ida, Clara, Hedwig and Rosa all of Switzerland; a sister-in-law, Rita Luthi and a brother-in-law Adof Bachmann, both Switzerland.
He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Matthias, Otto and Albert; two sisters, Maria and Anna.
A celebration of Life for Ernst will be held at a later date.