Marlyn Zuehlke

Went home to eternal life with his savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday February 28, 2018 at his home with family at his side.

This is a little about Marlyn's life.

On Wednesday June 29, 1921, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Springstroh gave their daughter, Irma Lillian Springstroh, to Mr. George C. Defferding in marriage at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Appleton, Wisconsin. In 1931 a daughter Lynette was stillborn. In 1932 a daughter Valdine was stillborn.

On September 11, 1933 Marlyn Defferding was born to a very loving mother who died shortly thereafter from child birth complications.

George Defferding suffered a breakdown from all these loses and left, leaving his new born son in the care of his maternal Grandparents, Emil Springstroh, and his wife Mamie. The Springstroh's raised Marlyn with loving joy until his Grandmother's death when Marlyn was 8 years old. Marlyn was given a good Christian upbringing in the Lutheran church. He was baptized September 28, 1933, and confirmed at Grace Lutheran church May 25,1947.

After his beloved Grandmother died it became impossible for Emil to raise Marlyn alone any longer and he was given a home by his mother's sister Mildred and her husband Marlyn Zuehlke. On December 20, 1943, George Defferding gave permission for Marlyn Defferding to be adopted by Mildred and Marlyn Zuehlke. On December 20, 1943 Marlyn officially came home to his parents Marlyn and Mildred Zuehlke with a brand new birth certificate naming Marlyn Zuehlke and Mildred Zuehlke as the parents of Marlyn Zuehlke Jr.

Marlyn graduated from Appleton High School in 1951. In 1951 Marlyn Zuehlke Jr. joined the Wisconsin National Guard serving 6 years and receiving an honorable discharge on October 4, 1958 as a Sergeant First Class, Company A, 426th Infantry. Marlyn Zuehlke Jr. then joined the United States Army Reserve until receiving an honorable discharge in April 1960.

Marlyn was preceded in death by Emil Springstroh in 1964, Marlyn Zuehlke Sr. in 1967, and Mildred Zuehlke in 1983.

Marlyn cared for a very special friend of the family, Verona Hietpas. Verona suffered a stroke leaving her in permanent need of care. Verona did not want to spend the rest of her life in a Nursing Home and made arrangements with Marlyn to take her home to her own house and to be cared for thereafter by Marlyn. Marlyn hired daytime nursing care while he went to work at Outagamie County Highway Department days. He cared for Verona nights. Verona was blessed to die at home with Marlyn sleeping on the floor next to the bed 7 years later in April 1987.

In April of 1987 a lonesome Marlyn Zuehlke sat down next to a lonesome Judy Kapuza and it was the start of the best thing that has ever happened to either of them. After a Whirlwind, very proper courtship, Marlyn Zuehlke married Judith Kapuza on August 1, 1987 in Oshkosh becoming the Step-father of Kimberly (Darren Markert) of Winneconne, Robin (William Waggoner) Larsen Wisconsin, and Lisa ( Tom  Hoffman ) Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Marlyn Zuehlke is the proud Grandfather of 13 Grandchildren. He was very thrilled to be present at the birth of 7 of his Grandchildren.

Marlyn received a Kidney Transplant at the University of Wisconsin Madison in April of 1992 when it was found thru testing that his wife Judy Zuehlke could be a donor. The Lord blessed them with

years of successful transplant without ever having to experience a rejection of the organ. Years spent making loving memories. Marlyn continued to work for Outagamie county Highway Department until he retired to a lake home in Laona, Wisconsin. In April of 1998 Marlyn ran for and was elected  to the Forest County Board as a County Supervisor. He was re-elected twice and retired as 2nd Vice-Chairman. While living in Laona, Marlyn was proud to serve as Elder, Vice-President, and President of his church.

Health problems brought them back to Appleton where they have enjoyed retirement, and good friends as well as membership in the church family at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Greenville.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Greenville with the Rev. Steve Kline officiating. Marlyn’s family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Saturday from 10:45 am – 11:45 am service will follow at 12 Noon. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Appleton at 10 am Monday March 5.

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