Byron A. Tetzlaff

Byron A. Tetzlaff

Byron A. Tetzlaff, age 95, of Sun Prairie, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2024.

He is survived by his four children: Karen (Robert/deceased) Germann, Janet (Norman) Disch, Byron M. (Sherri) Tetzlaff and Peggy (Kevin) Smtih; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 72 years, Evelyn (Tomaselli) Tetzlaff; parents, Frank O. Tetzlaff and Mary Diana (Swift) Tetzlaff; and brothers: Ward and Frank (Bud) Tetzlaff.

Byron attended school in the Madsion area, graduating from Madison East High School in 1946. He enlisted and was inducted in the Marine Corps. on July 23, 1946. While in service, Byron was assigned to the U.S. Marine detachment of the U.S.S. Huntington and was honorably discharged on July 20, 1948.

After service, Byron began a carpentry apprenticeship and as an apprentice worked on the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Unitarian Church and Meeting House in Madison.

Byron enjoyed sports and played on a softball team which won the Madison minor city championship. He inherited his love of ice boating from his father and sailed as crew on both the Mary B. and the Fritz Class A stern steerers (built by his father). He also loved hunting and fishing with his father-in-law, Angelo Tomaselli, and bowling and cross-country skiing.

In 1962, he went to work for the State of Wisconsin Apprenticeship Division of the Industrial Commission serving as a field representative out of the Milwaukee office in three counties. In 1968, he transferred to the Madison Administrative Office as a state coordinator for several apprenticeship programs for the State of Wisconsin.

Byron was proud of the home he designed for their retirement on Lake Virgina in Saulk County. He was an avid wood worker, constructing many keepsake clocks (mostly chiming), chess sets and furniture. He built and donated several items to his church, plus a lectern for the chapel of the church.

For several years he and his wife taught the 55 Alive safety course for seniors. Byron and Evelyn enjoyed traveling, going to many states in the US and made five trips to Italy where they met and stayed with relatives.

"We cherished you then, And we cherish you still, A heart can stop, But our love never will." -Adapted from Rupi Kapur.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

1310 Emerald Terrace Sun Prairie

(608) 837-9054