Virginia Zietlow, 85, of Sparta and formerly of Norwalk passed away Friday, March 28, 2014, at Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta.
Virginia was born at home in the town of Tomah on July 11, 1928, to Ernest C. and Mary (Richards) Behrens. She attended Oakdale area grade schools and was a 1947 graduate of Tomah High School. On June 19, 1948, Virginia married Boyd Zietlow at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Indian Creek (rural Oakdale), Wis. After they were married, they began farming on the Zietlow family farm in the town of Ridgeville, rural Norwalk.
Virginia was an active and faithful member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Norwalk, which is now called Immanuel United Methodist Church. Virginia was instrumental in starting up a 4-H club in the town of Ridgeville. She was a past president of the Monroe County Homemakers organization and remained involved with them for many years. Virginia loved to bake and raise a garden. She truly enjoyed sharing her baked goods and garden produce with her family, friends and neighbors. Music and teaching were her soul. She touched many people through music. Virginia taught piano, organ and accordion lessons for many years. She and Boyd traveled around to dances and parties, where she entertained many with her exceptional talent on the accordion.
Virginia is survived by her son, Darrell (Suzanne) Zietlow of Norwalk; two grandchildren, Michael Zietlow and Jeanne (Larry) Stark; six great-grandchildren, Peyton and Joshua Zietlow and Jim, Shane, Dustin and Laura Stark; a brother, Harold Behrens of Norwalk; brothers and sisters-in-law, Art Zietlow of Fitchburg, Wis., Don (Patricia) Zietlow of Cashton, James (Dixie) Zietlow of Eagle River, Wis., Carol Zietlow of Norwalk, Dennis Carlson of Michigan and Bob (Sue) Zietlow of Brea, Calif.; along with nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Boyd, in 2011; her parents; a sister, Inez Prell; her sisters-in-law, Virginia Behrens, Mary Ann Carlson, Roberta, Melva Zietlow, and Gloria and Edgar Frederick; her brothers-in-law, Carroll and Wendell Zietlow; a great-granddaughter, Carlie Stark; and a special member of the family, Ken Jacobson.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at Immanuel United Methodist Church, Norwalk. Pastor Theresa Amberson will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church in Norwalk. Burial will be held at a later date. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements. To view the obituary or to offer the family online condolences, please go to www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
