Journal Entry from Ridgeville: Packer Fans’ Hall of Fame

The late Robert “Packer Bob” Retzlaff’s buggy (Facebook photo)

By LYDA LANIER

In a posthumous tribute, Robert “Packer Bob” Retzlaff was nominated as a candidate for the Packer Fans’ Hall of Fame. This long-time resident of Valley Junction, who passed away in October, was being recognized by his peers as a No. 1 Packer fan, a designation he earned not by attending all of the home games (which he did), but the effort he put forth to attend the first game of the year.

What became a fixture on the back roads of Wisconsin a week or 10 days before the season’s opener was Packer Bob and his wife Packer Maren, taking a leisurely trip to Green Bay with horse and buggy. Their destination and the team they supported made quite clear, the buggy painted in Packer green and gold and decorated with Packer symbols front, back and sides. Leaving no doubt about their wholehearted support was a Packer flag, making its own statement, attached to the top of the buggy on the back.

Long-time friend of the family in Valley Junction Linda Johnson (herself a No. 1 Packer fan), submitted Bob’s name for Fan of the Year, referring to his dedication and loyalty, the supreme (and enjoyable) effort he made, going by horse and buggy, and the rituals he followed, watching away games at home.

The Packers’ Fan Hall of Fame has been recognizing one fan since 1998 for the purpose of annually honoring a devout and longtime Packer fan. From more than 100 nominations this year, 10 finalists were selected. The public then was invited to vote on their favorite. This year, more than 40,000 votes were cast from throughout the United States and countries around the world; voting was done online during January. We could vote often but only once a day.

To have Packer Bob nominated for this honor made it seem like a good idea to talk to Maren about their life together as Packer fans. Maren was his copilot on 14 trips across Wisconsin by horse and buggy. Helping Maren recall these years are hundreds of pictures on the computer screen, newspaper clippings, a scrapbook and her memories.

“This was a 150-mile trip,” she said. “We traveled about 25 to 33 miles a day on the back roads, taking a different route each year through small towns like Chilton, New Holstein, New London, Ortonville, Oneida. The buggy was a two-seater, the seat in back for our dog Mortimer. The state patrol one time clocked us going eight miles an hour.”

Their horse for seven years was Stardust, a palomino appaloosa with blue eyes, temperamental but stylish, aware of his celebrity status.

“We had a few close calls,” Maren said. “Semis going by could make our horse head for the ditch, even on back roads, but no one ever got hurt.”

Trips required long-range planning for a van where they slept overnight, a shuttle car and a map, with family and friends enlisted to help along the way. “We’d look for little bars outside of towns where we could keep the horse, eat, use the bathroom.” Maren noted, “These are getting fewer and far between.”

People along the way were mostly good, such as a new friend Fred who invited them to spend the night. Another brought them a homemade apple pie from the local farmer’s market. A total stranger paid for a motel room overnight and took them out for dinner, “and he was wearing a Bears shirt,” said Maren.

“In one situation, construction workers on the highway shut everything down and let us go through,” Maren said.

The award ceremony in February in the press conference room at Lambeau Field attracted about 150 people, with each nominee bringing up to 10 guests. Representing the Retzlaffs were relatives from Wisconsin and as far away as Kansas, knowing it was an honor to be recognized as one of the top 10.

Selected by votes and a committee was an 87-year-old woman from Green Bay, who will have her name permanently displayed in a place of honor in the Green Bay Packers’ Hall of Fame. She also receives club seats for a home game, a gift certificate for the Packers Pro Shop, tickets to a Packers away game plus expenses and a year’s subscription to Packers Plus.

Said Maren, “It was an honor to get this far.”

After the passing of her husband, Maren moved to horse country at the foot of Wildcat Mountain State Park in rural Ontario, where she lives in a semi duplex with her daughter from an earlier marriage and her husband, Jessica and Kale Winchel. The 27-acre farm, called Hillside Acres, is home to a machine shop and a variety of animals: ducks, chickens, goats, cats, a yak named Roosevelt and two dogs. “They all have names,” said 10-year-old grandson Tyler Winchel, who sat in on this interview, “because,” he said, “this is interesting.”

A horse will be added to this menagerie. “A buggy and riding horse is being trained by an Amish neighbor,” said Maren, “so I can use the buggy when I want to.”

Look for it down the road: a bright green and gold Packer buggy you cannot miss. Robert Retzlaff’s spirit lives on. Packer loyalty can never be retired and does not pass away.

Comments are closed.

  • Norwalk churches to host worship during Holy Week

    March 22nd, 2024
    by

    Contributed by United Methodist Church, Norwalk Please join us for worship during Holy Week at the–Norwalk and Salem United Methodist […]


    KVR art project on exhibit

    March 22nd, 2024
    by

    The Kickapoo Valley Reserve Creative Communities Canvas Project will be on exhibit at the KVR Visitor Center through Saturday, March 23.  


    Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for March 10–16

    March 22nd, 2024
    by

    Sunday, March 10: The sheriff’s office received an alarm for a property on Fortney Road in the town of Franklin. The […]


    St. Paul’s installs new pastor

    March 14th, 2024
    by

    St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wilton celebrated the installation of Pastor Karen Sparling on Feb. 25. Bishop Felix Malpica led […]


    Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for March 3–8

    March 13th, 2024
    by

    Sunday, March 3: A traffic stop was initiated on Highway 61 in Readstown. The driver was going 71 mph in 55-mph […]


  • Tomah Health to offer foot clinic March 20

    March 13th, 2024
    by

    Area residents can receive complimentary foot care at a special foot care clinic from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, […]


    Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Feb. 25 to March 2

    March 8th, 2024
    by

    Sunday, Feb. 25: Ryan Clark of Westby was traveling south on County Highway D in the town of Clinton when he […]


    St. Paul’s in Wilton to host barbecue chicken dinner

    March 8th, 2024
    by

    The meal will consist of one-half barbecue chicken, potato salad, baked beans, dinner roll and butter. 


    Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Feb. 18–24

    February 29th, 2024
    by

    Sunday, Feb. 18: A traffic stop was initiated on Highway 131 in the town of Kickapoo. As a result of the […]


    Kendall seeks candidates for Citizen of the Year

    February 29th, 2024
    by

    Contributed by the Kendall Lions Club The Kendall Lions Club is seeking nominations for Kendall Citizen of the Year.   This award is given annually by […]


    Royall’s Waterman awarded

    February 29th, 2024
    by

    Royall Superintendent Tom Benson (left) presents a plaque to board of education president Doug Waterman for his 20 years of […]


  • Archives