Obit: Rydstrom, Gordon W. “Gordy” (1942 – 2021)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Rydstrom, Kamps, Parsons, Doane, Crull, Shreves

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 10 Feb 2021

Rydstrom, Gordon W. “Gordy” (17 Nov 1942 – 25 Jan 2021)

Gordon W. “Gordy” Rydstrom, 78, Willard, passed away on Monday, Jan, 25, 2021, at Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville. A graveside service was held at 1 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 1, at Hickory Grove Cemetery, rural Elkhorn, with Pastor Bob Kamps officiating.

Gordon Wayne Rydstrom was born on Nov. 17, 1942, in Laurens, Iowa, the son of Leonard W. and Fern L. (nee Parsons) Rydstrom. As a young boy, his family moved to Elkhorn, where he was raised on a farm and received his education, graduating from Elkhorn High School in 1961. After high school, he continued to farm with his father and brother, Edwin. Gordon was united in marriage to Dorothy Eloise Doane on Jan. 21, 1967, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elkhorn. He continued farming with his brother for one year before buying a farm in Sullivan and farming on his own. Gordon and Dorothy farmed together in Sullivan, then bought a farm in Juneau, and then purchased a farm in Greenwood in 1998. After selling their Greenwood farm in 2014, they bought a hobby farm in Willard, where he resided until the time of his death. He was the sweetest person, always willing to help anyone at any time, with anything. Gordon always overlooked a person’s faults, and was willing to give a second, third and fourth chance. He had many interests, but especially loved his cows, planting corn, and listening to the Golden Oldies and classic country music.

Gordon will be dearly missed by his wife of 54 years, Dorothy; his children: Gayle Rydstrom of Horicon, Leonard (Laurie) Rydstrom of New Burnside, Ill., Jodi Rydstrom of Horicon, and Clint Rydstrom of Medford; one brother: Edwin (Marcia) Rydstrom of Watertown; two sisters: Karen Crull and Jenean (Geno) Shreves, both of Delavan; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. 

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, assisted the family with arrangements.