Ernest Allen Bartsch, 81 of Rockne, Texas, was called to his eternal home on June 16, 2026. After a long battle with Parkinsons, he took his final breath at home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Bastrop, TX in 1944, the 6th of 8 children of Mary (Beck) and Matthew Bartsch. He graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Rockne in 1962. He provided for his family as a machinist for 58 years, 35 of those successfully running his own machine shop business from his home. 

In his youth he spent his time tearing up the dancehalls while living with 8 other Rockne boys in an apartment in Austin. He met his wife, Dean at the Skyline Dancehall in Austin in 1970, and they married on March 1, 1975. Together they raised four kids on the homestead he created over 51 years.

 Ernie was a servant of God whose strong faith shaped every aspect of his life. Though soft-spoken and modest, his life reflected a sincere devotion to his family, the Catholic faith, and the Lord. He spent many years giving back to the church he was raised in as a volunteer organizing the cemetery, frying chicken at every bazaar and consistently donating financially. He was a caring, devoted father and grandfather and a humble man who led by example. He loved spending time perfecting his golf game, even going as far as creating manicured tee boxes and golf greens on his land. His favorite hobby was deer hunting and carrying on the family traditions of annually making deer sausage and homemade wine. He never met a farm project he didn’t like. Once a project was complete, he was onto the next. The last 15 years he took great pride in carefully creating and then adding on to his tank which became a place of memory making and fun for everyone in the family and community. 

During the last few years as his battle with Parkinson’s disease worsened, he was tenderly cared for by his devoted wife of 51 years, whose love and unwavering commitment to care for him at home until his last day provided him peace of mind. The family also wishes to sincerely thank Kindful Health Hospice and the caregivers who cared for Ernie during the last months of his life. Their kindness and dedication brought comfort to Ernie and to his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Allen Bartsch, Nellene Frerich, Kenneth Bartsch, Esther Seidel, and Margie Tucker. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Dean; their daughters Tammy (Steve), Kelli (Chad), sons, Keaton (Mary Kate), and Trey (Hunter); seven grandchildren (Case, Callie Jo, Cassie, Colbie, Jenna, Brooke and Luke); and siblings, sisters-in law, and brother-in law: Lester (Olivia) Bartsch, Mary Ann Townsend, Mary Gail Bartsch, Leroy Seidel and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be Tuesday July 7, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockne. The visitation will begin at 9:00am, the Rosary will begin at 10:00am, The Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30am.  This church was the cornerstone of his life for 81 years, and he hoped it would continue to serve as a place where people could grow in faith just as it did for him. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Church renovation fund. Make donations payable to Sacred Heart Catholic Church- Rockne. Memo line: church renovation. 4045 Farm to Market 535, Bastrop, TX 78602