A large celebration congregation had come (from left): grandson Christoph Stimmer with girlfriend Theresa, mayor and nephew of the jubilarian Hans Wiesmaier, son-in-law Thomas Stimmer with grandson Simon and daughter Angela, wife Anneliese Ertl, son-in-law Martin Baldauf, daughter Elisabeth Ertl, jubilarian Johann Ertl, daughter Irmgard Peis, granddaughter Luisa Ertl, son-in-law Anton Peis, daughter Susanne Ertl, grandson Magdalena Peis, Hanna Ertl and Alexander Peis, Gabriele Wurmsam, girlfriend of son Johannes Ertl (next to her) and Franz Hofstetter, second district administrator. © Friedbert Holz
Johann Ertl from Rappoltskirchen celebrates his 90th birthday with his extended family in good health.
Inning am Holz – Johann Ertl was born and raised in Großhündlbach, but he has lived in the neighbouring town of Rappoltskirchen for a long time, and he celebrated his 90th birthday together with family and many friends at the Hofer inn in Inning am Holz.
They were once five children on their parents' farm, but now only Johann and his sister Zenta, who is five years younger, are still alive. Her brothers John of the Cross (named after their father) and Korbinian as well as sister Franziska have long since died.
After primary and secondary school in Rappoltskirchen, Johann Ertl attended vocational school for three years, "at that time still in the same schoolhouse", as the sprightly jubilarian recalls. There was no question that he had to work on his parents' farm. Nevertheless, he wanted to continue training his knowledge of agriculture, and at the age of 20 he went to the Erdinger Agricultural School for two winter semesters and another six weeks to the Landvolk-Hochschule Wies.
He was just 22 years young when his father died unexpectedly early. And so Johann had to take over his parents' farm with his mother Kreszenz and sister Zenta. At that time they also had dairy cattle in their barn, but soon the work with them became too much. In 1966 they sold the cattle and raised pigs from then on. It was to bring Johann Ertl private happiness: During a visit to the office of the regional pig breeding association, he met and fell in love with his future wife Anneliese Hamburger (now 75).
The two married in 1972 and lived in Großhündlbach, soon their five children Irmgard (49), Angela (48), Johannes (46, who now runs the farm), Elisabeth (41) and Susanne (40) were born. Most of them are now married and live close to their parents, and six grandchildren are also part of the large Ertl family. They now met in full force in Inning am Holz to celebrate the anniversary.
He himself, he says, "occasionally helps out with small jobs", but his great love belongs to "two biblical animals": he breeds pigeons and sheep with passion. Of course, he was also a member of local clubs for many years – the Waldesruh Shooting Club, the Warriors and Soldiers Association. For several years he was also on the board of the pig breeding association of Upper Bavaria and with the hunters Maria Thalheim.
He is also closely connected to the local church, is chairman of the parish council and was also a church caretaker for 14 years. He is rarely seen doing nothing, and when he does, he either enjoys football matches on TV or reads the local newspaper to stay well informed.
Congratulations and gifts were also delivered by Fraunberg's mayor Hans Wiesmaier and Franz Hofstetter as deputy district administrator. FRIEDBERT HOLZ
