Gaylord E. Zietlow

Gaylord E. Zietlow, age 93 of the Town of Dupont, Waupaca County, passed away Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Appleton. 

Gaylord was born on February 11, 1932 to Fredrick & Grace (Handschke) Zietlow in the Town of Harrison, Waupaca County. From infancy he was lovingly raised by his Aunt Leonora (Nora) Zietlow. He also had a special place in his heart for his Uncle William (Pat) Zietlow who helped with his care as an infant and young child. Gaylord was baptized on April 24, 1932 at the parsonage of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in South Dupont and was confirmed on October 21, 1945 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Big Falls. At the age of 12 Gaylord moved from the Iola area to rural Marion and lived with his Aunt Nora who was then united in marriage to Albert Kenitz; the family resided in the Town of Dupont. Gaylord went to Big Falls Grade School and to Marion High School; graduating in 1950. He helped Albert and Nora Kenitz farm and worked at Stoney Ridge Cheese Factory hauling milk and making cheese for Herman Rhode from the late 1950s to the early 1960s. On August 6, 1967, Gaylord married Joyce A. Kussman at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He farmed all of his life and loved his cows and being out on the fields with his crops. Gaylord enjoyed hunting small game like squirrels, ducks, partridge, and even a bat or two at times. He enjoyed cutting firewood and in later years found pleasure sitting on a lawn chair by the barn with his cats and dog watching the traffic and at times playing his button accordion. 

Survivors include: His Wife: Joyce.
3 Daughters: Annette of Wausau, Sandy of Hortonville, and Suzanne of Columbus.
2 Sons: Dennis (Jeanne) of Marion and their children Tiffany (Clint) Schroeder and their children Thea & Oliver of Clintonville; Stephanie (Pastor Justus) McKenzie and their children Matthias, Remi, and Riley of Modesto, CA; Tyler Klegin of Neenah. Randy (Justis) Zietlow of Marion and their children Logan, Brayden, and Jonathan.
Sisters-in-law Connie Hansen of Waupaca, Sherry (Rich) Eastwood of Kaukauna, Cindy Rieschle of Appleton, Patty (Andy) Kern of Kaukauna, and brother-in-law Larry (Glenace) Kussman of Marion.
Also survived by cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Gaylord was preceded in death by his parents Fredrick and Grace Zietlow, Special Aunt Nora (Albert) Kenitz, brothers Harold (Miriam) Zietlow and Herbert (Jeanne) Zietlow, a brother-in-law Tom Rieschle, nephew Dan Jensen, and a niece Brenda Jensen.

Gaylord’s Memorial Service will be held Monday, October 13, 2025 at 11am at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory South Location (299 S. Main Street, Clintonville, WI 54929) with Rev. Karen Riemer officiating. Inurnment will take place at Big Falls Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 9am until the time of the service. www.eberhardtstevenson.com