Gordon W. “Gordy” Rydstrom, 78, of Willard, passed away at Memorial Medical Center, in Neillsville, on Jan. 25, 2021.
A graveside service was held Feb. 1 at Hickory Grove Cemetery, rural Elkhorn, with the Rev. Bob Kamps officiating.
Gordon Wayne Rydstrom was born on Nov. 17, 1942, in Laurens, Iowa, the son of Leonard W. and Fern L. (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 a 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, 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) of New Burnside, Illinois, Jodi Rydstrom of Horicon, Clint Rydstrom of Medford; one brother, Edwin (Marcia) of Watertown; two sisters, Karen Crull and Jenean (Geno) Shreves, both of Delavan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Cuddie Funeral Home, of Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.
