Otto Retzlaff

Otto Karl Frederick Retzlaff, age 86, of Ripon, WI passed away on Thursday, April 28, 1955 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Van Kirk.

Otto was born in Posen, Germany on October 27, 1868, the son of Henry and Ernestin (Hort) Retzlaff. He came to America in 1890 and became a farmer, residing in the towns for Poygan, Utica, and the last 26 years in Ripon, WI. On December 5, 1894 he married Emma Gehrke in Ripon. She passed away on March 10, 1936. Otto was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church for 65 years.

Otto is survived by his five daughters, Martha Kunst, Alma Stark, Erna Van Kirk, Nora Schwandt, and Elsie Peschke all of Ripon, WI; five sons, Fred of Pickett, Arthur, Harry, Otto Jr., and Wilbert all of Ripon, WI; 25 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Henry of Germany. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Retzlaff; two daughters; two sons; three sisters; and two brothers.

Visitation for Otto will be held from 6:00 pm on Saturday, April 30, 1955 until 11:00 am on Monday, May 2, 1955 at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home in Ripon, WI, and again from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm on Monday, May 2, 1955 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ripon.

Funeral service for Otto will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, May 2, 1955 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ripon, with Reverend E.E. Schieler officiating. Interment will follow at Liberty Prairie Cemetery, in Pickett, WI.