Alice Zettler

Alice T. Zettler (nee Troedel), 96, of the Township of Farmington, Washington County, passed away in the early morning hours on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Kettle Moraine Gardens in Kewaskum, Wisconsin.

She was born in West Bend, Wisconsin, on May 4, 1929, to the late Walter and Anna (nee Goschey) Troedel and on September 9, 1950, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Zettler at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michaels, Wisconsin. He passed away on December 24, 2016.

Alice enjoyed telling her stories of life in the days in Young America. She was born the first child of eight to her parents. Back in the day, women had their children at home as it was with Alice. She recalls that half of the eight children were born at home and the other half in the hospital.

Alice had a lot of responsibilities with helping to raise her younger brothers and sisters along with her mom and dad, of course. When she got old enough she went out to look for work to help support the family and found a job working at the West Bend Theater where she was an usher. She was working at the theater at age 16 when Japan surrendered to end World War II. The theater quickly emptied and everyone gathered in the streets to celebrate. She then ended up closing up the theater. She was employed there until she was 18 when she found employment at the West Bend Company on a punch press. Back then a lot of family worked there as well, so she was pleased when she was formally introduced to her boss's son and her soon to be husband. Alice had met him through the years, but it was at work where the relationship blossomed. Alice had a good childhood, but she had to work hard too, in order to make ends meet. During her off time, she enjoyed roller skating. With her friends from school. Even after she got her driver's license, she could be found driving her friends to the roller rink. She is quite proud that she never had a car accident in her driving history.

Alice enjoyed going to dance halls, bowling alleys and at times a stop at a local tavern once in a while. Once married, she enjoyed the domestic scene with planting, cooking and baking for her family. She and her husband had three children; 2 boys and a girl. They planted lots of trees and food plants that helped feed the family. They had pears, apples and bushes with some kind of berries that she made jam. Some of her pastimes were knitting and embroidery on dish towels and pillowcases.

Alice's family is spread out but she looked forward to seeing them when they visited. She said that her family suggested her coming to Kettle Moraine Gardens in Kewaskum so that she would not be alone. Alice was a grandmother and a great-grandmother, a real Packer Fan, and enjoyed football games she could get her eyes on.

Survivors include her children, Norman (Joan) Zettler of the Town of Auburn and Nancy (Larry) Kritz of the Town of Barton; five grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; her siblings, Clarence (Dawn) Troedel of West Bend, Harold (Judy) Troedel of Oshkosh, Arthur Troedel of Kewaskum, Marvel Ann (John) Labott of Chester Field, VA, Arlene (Kenneth) Bair of Gainesville, GA; other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband and parents, Alice was preceded in death by a son, Marvin Zettler; a brother, William Troedel and a sister, Harriet Berres (nee Troedel).

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 23, 2026, at Hon-E-Kor, 1141 Riverview Drive, in Kewaskum with a time to be announced later. Please check myrhum-patten.com for additional details prior to the service.

A special thank you to all the caring staff at Kettle Moraine Gardens in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, and Lily Home and Hospice of Brookfield, Wisconsin, for all their care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to Camp Evergreen Corporation (2776 N. 31st Place, Sheboygan, WI 53083) or Special Olympics Super 8’s Sheboygan County, WI (W2673 Homestead Drive, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085)