Obituary of Donald Austin Getzlaff

Donald Austin Getzlaff, age 100, of Wisconsin Rapids, entered into eternal life on Friday, September 11, 2015 at his home in Wisconsin Rapids. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Pastor John Grohs and Pastor Timothy Ritter will officiate. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation for Don and the family will be Wednesday, September 16th from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, and from 10:00 A.M.to 11:00 A.M. on Thursday at the church. Donald was born December 7, 1914 on a farm near Kellner, Wisconsin to Henry and Clara (Osterman) Getzlaff. He attended school through the 8th grade. Don was employed by Gross Brothers Trucking as a driver for 6 years. Don was married to Stella Amundson on March 29, 1938. The couple was blessed with 65 years of marriage before Stella passed away in 2003. In 1943, Don was drafted into the United States Army and served in the 395th Military Police Battalion during World War 2. After his return from service, Don was self-employed as a truck farmer, serving 26 neighborhood stores and restaurants in the Wisconsin Rapids area and to the general public from Don Getzlaff's Gardens. In 1964, Don and Stella added stationary greenhouses to their business. Their greatest joy was to serve their customers, who were always treated like family to them. They added visiting benches so that everyone could sit awhile and feel at home. They were honored to serve the public for 42 years before retirement in 1978. After retirement Don and Stella became the organizers of the Arizona Group, a group of seniors that met once a month at a restaurant in Wisconsin Rapids, and kept in touch while they wintered in Mesa, Arizona. The group held a potluck once a year at Robinson Park that numbered up to 80. Don was also a member of the Senior Citizens group and the Lowell Senior Center. His favorite pastimes were fishing, playing pool with his buddies and singing with the Senior Citizens Hoopla Band bringing music to many of those in area long term care facilities. He also continued to garden, maintaining many flowers at his home and his 50 by 50 foot garden. He was a man that taught by example, always saying "A man is only as good as his word". His faith was very important to him. A life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, he treated the members like family. He attended faithfully every Sunday even though his ears, eyes and body were failing. As a farmer of the soil, he walked and talked with God every step of the way, teaching honesty, integrity, love of family and love of God, a positive foundation for life. Don is survived by three children: Dianne Lau, Duane (Marilyn) Getzlaff and Susan Getzlaff; five grandchildren: Karleen (Don) Kellison, Elizabeth (Ron) Borkowski, Jane Zornow, Sara (Shawn) Bowles, Christopher (Angela) Lau, eleven great-grandchildren: Skyliar Kellison, Lindsey Kellison, Megan (Adam) Houge, Sierra Borkowski, Oliver (Rebecca) Zornow, Evan Getzlaff, Melissa (Ryan) Dewilde, Sydney and Sawyer Bowles, Claudia and Elizabeth Lau; eleven great-great-grandchildren: Calleigh and Emmaly Kellison, Conner Kasperek, Gabriel, Noah, Josiah and Elisha Houge, Dylan Rockey, Maria and Martha Moreno and Madeline Zornow. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Stella; his parents Henry and Clara; three sisters: Isabelle, Bernie and Ruth; two brothers, Edward (Stub) and Harold; one grandson, Mark (Carol) Getzlaff and one great-great-granddaughter Lydia Zornow.