Sydelle Shulkin

Sydelle Shulkin,

(nee Landfield) Age 93, died peacefully in Mequon, Wisconsin on November 12, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. Devoted wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she cherished her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Richard Shulkin, her parents Betty and Sander Landfield, cherished sister-in-law Joan Landfield and brother-in-law Mark Shulkin, parents-in-law Joseph and Marion Shulkin, and her daughter-in-law Mari Lou Herron-Shulkin. Adored mother of Dara (Michael) Aronoff, Robert Shulkin, James (Denise Cariski) Shulkin, and Lisa (Michael) Sattell. Beloved grandmother of Jeremy (Michaela) and Lilo (Kristi Armstrong) Shulkin; Jessica (Nathan Vernau) and Martin (Hannah Hedge) Sattell; Emily, Rebecca, Mallory, and Sarah Shulkin; Amanda (James Keller) and Jessica Aronoff. Beloved great-grandmother of Alma, Hank, and Sammy Sattell; Zuri and Sydney Shulkin; Hayden, Celeste, and Nathaniel Keller, and Max Aronoff-Sher. Loving sister of Jerome Landfield and fond sister-in-law of Sunny Shulkin. Beloved aunt of Drs. Nedra Fetterman and David Shulkin and Daniel, Anne, and Loren Landfield. Gratitude to the Weiss family for their kindness and visits to Sydelle. Special thanks to Jennifer Opitz for her exceptional and loving care for Sydelle and her family, and for consistently losing to Sydelle at Rummikub.

Born in Chicago on April 22, 1932, Sydelle was one of the original Quiz Kids, popular on radio and television. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, returning to college after the birth of her four children. She taught elementary school children for many years with Milwaukee Public Schools, later becoming a reading specialist. In 1969, she was honored to have met Milwaukee native Prime Minister Golda Meir of Israel, when Meir visited her former alma mater, Fourth Street School. A photograph of Sydelle's students, greeting the prime minister, was published in newspapers worldwide.

Sydelle was not only whip smart but also movie star gorgeous. She had many friends, some relationships spanning more than half a century. Sydelle loved travel; she and Richard enjoyed numerous trips to Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, California, and New York. She loved beautiful things: art, jewelry, watching birds outside her window, and anything chocolate. Sydelle treasured her family photo albums and encouraged her visitors to look through the pages with her. She was an inspiration to those who knew her, finding humor, friendships, and an irrepressible love of life despite increasing health challenges. Sydelle had a marvelous sense of humor, and when she laughed or smiled, which was often, she could light up a room. Among her accomplishments, and there were many, she said her greatest achievement was her children. She was sweet, appreciative to those who helped her, and persistent in times of hardship. She was strong-willed and sometimes stubborn. But above all, she was beautiful inside and out. Sydelle was the matriarch of the family and her loss creates an emptiness that will never be filled.

Private graveside services were held on November 16, 2025 at Spring Hill Cemetery in Milwaukee.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to your local Human Society, or to the charity of your choice, are appreciated.