Gordon R. Zachow

It is with both joy and sadness that the family of Gordon Richard Zachow announce his passing from this brief and transitory life, and his reunion with friends and family in a World of eternal life. 

Gordon was born on March 28, 1933 in Milwaukee Wisconsin, to parents William A. and Lillian Zachow. He attended neighborhood schools on the north side of Milwaukee. Gordon was a motivated young man, eager to find work at local businesses, and eventually as a hired hand on a nearby farm. His beloved mother Lillian passed when Gordon was fourteen years old. Gordon’s father married again, this time to Leona Darkow, who provided care and guidance to Gordon and his siblings Bill, Glenn, and Lois. Gordon left school and worked for the Kaul Oil Company in Milwaukee before joining the National Guard in 1951. He used his time in the military to earn a GED, and served as an aircraft mechanic. On leave, he met Marlene Betty Zimmermann at a party thrown by a neighborhood friend. Their courtship lasted two years, and on June 11, 1954, they married at Florist Avenue Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. After discharge from the service, Gordon returned to his job at Kaul Oil, but eventually decided to begin a plumbing apprenticeship for the purpose of joining the family business started by his father in 1938. Wm. A. Zachow and Sons Plumbing, now in it’s fourth generation of family ownership, remains a thriving business today. Gordon and Marlene had their first child, Gary, in 1956, followed by David in 1961. In 1960, Gordon and Marlene purchased a cottage on Long Lake in Shawano County for $3600. In time, with the help of family and friends, they remodeled the cottage, and in 1974, Gordon and his family left Milwaukee, and moved into the former cottage, now a three-bedroom home. Soon after the move, Gordon R. Zachow Plumbing was open for business. Gordon’s love for the plumbing trade had to compete with his affection for farming, likely a carryover from his earlier work. In 1970, Gordon purchased a farm in Lund’s Corners, and for several years during the mid - 1970’s, he tried his hand at raising beef cattle. Given his soft heart (he named his livestock), it wasn’t a good fit. By the time in 1979 that Gordon broke ground on his new Bath Shop outside of Embarrass, WI, his cattle days were done. Gordon and Marlene ran the plumbing business for 27 years, until Marlene passed in 2006. At age 73, Gordon closed his business and sold the property. He embarked on one last farming adventure, this time by creating the MBZ Alpaca Ranch, named in honor of his beloved wife. Plumbing is a rough occupation, as is ranching, and Gordon would eventually sell the ranch and enter true retirement, first at his home on Long Lake, then for nine years in a home on Rustic Drive, and finally, as a resident at Aster Assisted Living in Clintonville. Gordon remained strong during his many hospitalizations over the past several years, although he was lonely for companionship during much of that time. In his final stay at ThedaCare in Shawano, Gordon passed from heart and respiratory failure on February 6, 2025. 

He is survived by his son Gary, and his beloved granddaughter and great-grand children, Alyson, Marlene, and Otto Newhouse. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marlene, and his son David as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

The family requests that attendees honor Gordon’s life by honoring their own. In lieu of flowers or gifts, spend time with your friends or family, in a happy gathering, or in solitary meditation. If you prefer a more traditional gift, donate to your favorite charity, or make an offering to Christus Lutheran Church, 120 North Main Street, Clintonville, Wisconsin 54929. Devote your thoughts during that time to Gordon, and then move on. Gordy had a full and ambitious life. He truly missed the many friends and family members who now welcome him home. He will be lonesome no more. 

The service in memory of his life will be held Wednesday February 19, 2025 at 11am at the Christus Lutheran Church in Clintonville with Rev. Brian Crocker officiating. Military honors will follow the service outside of the church by members of the Clintonville American Legion Post #63, VFW Post #664, American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, and DAV Chapter #53. Inurnment will take place later in spring at the Friendship Cemetery in the Town of Belle Plaine, Shawano County. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday the 19th from 10am until the time of service. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting his family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com