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Harold Neitzel, Lavern A. Zastrow

Harold Neitzel

Harold Neitzel, 95, of Tomah, WI, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at A Touch of Home, in Tomah.

Harold was born July 16, 1914, to Fred and Bertha (Mails) Neitzel in Tomah, WI. Harold was a 1932 graduate of Tomah High School. He was united in marriage to Marian Fischer, Jan. 1, 1937, at his parents’ home.

Harold and Marian owned and operated Neitzel’s Furniture and Funeral in Tomah. Harold sold the funeral home because he was being drafted into WWII. The business then became Neitzel’s Furniture Mart and in total they owned and operated the business for 43 years. He enjoyed gardening, golfing, hunting and fishing.

Harold is survived by his children, Mary Ellen (Bob) Dvorak of Rockford, IL, Jean (John) Finch of Rhinelander, WI, and Rob (Vicki) Neitzel of Tomah; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; a sister, Leola (Tom) Keene of Tomah, WI; a brother, Marvin (Betty) Neitzel of Tomah, WI; along with other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Bertha; his wife Marian, who passed away Jan. 7, 2005; an infant sister, Frieda; and one granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, 12 noon at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Pastor Donald Buch will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at The Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhomes.com.

Lavern A. Zastrow

Lavern A. Zastrow went with the angels on October 22, 2009, at the home of his nephew Michael Johnson in Eau Claire. Lavern was 69 years of age, born on December 5, 1939, to Alvin and Martha (Rochester) Zastrow in Tomah.

Lavern moved from Oakdale to Sparta in 1984, making Sparta his home. Lavern retired from Northern Engraving after 30-plus years.

Lavern loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed his trips to Colorado fishing the “gold meadow waters”, hunting the Rocky Mountains, and visiting with his family. He belonged to and was very active with St. Stephen’s Church in Camp Douglas. Lavern also was very active for many years with the Lions Club in Sparta.

He leaves to mourn a sister Mary Ann (Zastrow) Johnson, of Austin, CO; two brothers, Rodger Zastrow and wife Irmgard of Moneta, VA, and Donald Zastrow of Montrose, CO; two nephews, Thomas Johnson and wife Patty of La Crosse, and Michael Johnson and wife Evi of Eau Claire; one niece, Peggy Ann (Johnson) Saxton and husband Richard of Eckert, CO; three great-nieces, Jennifer Johnson of Madison, Kristin (Saxton) Diaz of Phoenix and husband Fili serving in Afghanistan, and Danielle Saxton of Phoenix; two great-nephews, Eric Johnson of Madison and Isaac Johnson of Eau Claire; and a host of cousins and friends. Lavern will be missed by all and by many.

Funeral services will be held at a later date. Evergreen Funeral Home in Eau Claire is serving the family.