The Manitowoc County Coroner’s Office has identified the first person to die from COVID-19 as 76-year-old Ernest Boettcher of Mishicot.
Deputy Chief Coroner Jeffrey Schroeder says Boettcher died last Saturday at Holy Family Hospital from pneumonia. Schroeder also listed that Boettcher had several underlying health conditions that included stage four chronic kidney disease, type two diabetes and arthritis.
The Manitowoc native owned and ran Ernie’s Laugh-Inn in Larabee for 21 years.
A private family service was held-and Boettcher was laid to rest at St. John’s Lutheran Church cemetery in Gibson.
