Larry J.

Zade

Larry James Zade passed away into eternal life at his home at Valley VNA in Neenah, WI on May 10, 2026.

He was born at home in Lake Mills, WI, to Frank and Myrtle Zade on September 10, 1939.  Larry was the youngest of four children including Jeanette (Ken) Hans, Marilyn (Wayne) Osterlie, and Kenneth Zade who served in the United States Army and died in the Korean War.

Larry attended Lake Mills elementary school in Lake Mills, WI, until the sixth grade when he transferred to St. Pauls Lutheran School.  There he would meet a cute fourth grade girl named Sandra DeForest who would eventually become the love of his life.  Larry and Sandy attended Lake Mills High School together, dated, and fell in love.  Larry was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Pauls Lutheran.  He graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1958 and went on to study at UW LaCrosse where he played football.  After college Larry and Sandy married and built a home together.  They were married for over 63 years.  Their legacy includes 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

Larry started his career at (Creamy Package) St. Regis Paper Company in Lake Mills as the Assistant Personnel Manager.  Eventually he became the Personnel Manager when the company was owned by Crepaco. Inc.  In 1974, Larry was part of a team to help create the first ambulance service in Lake Mills. Larry played softball for many years and after the games would share his love for roasted cashews with his kids at the local bar.  He also coached basketball teams for St. Pauls and hunted and fished with family and friends.   In 1979 Larry and Sandy moved their family to Neenah, WI where they became members of Trinity Lutheran Church and Larry started work at Medalist Industries in Oshkosh (in 1978) as their Industrial Relations Manager. Medalist Industries was eventually bought by Wisconsin Automated Machinery and Larry was the VP of General Manufacturing. His career took him to many places all over the world.  Larry ended his career as General Manager after a total of 25 years.   Larry was on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club in Oshkosh for many years. Larry was not one to retire and in 2003 he took a part-time job at Fox Community Credit Union as their Maintenance Manager.  This certainly surprised our family because we never knew him to be a particularly handy guy. However, he very much enjoyed his time there developing relationships with skilled contractors and the people of Fox Community Credit Union. Larry eventually retired from Fox Community Credit Union after 17 years and many friends later.  In his retirement Larry loved to golf, walk, travel, and play cards with his friend group.

Over their lifetime together, Larry and Sandy took many bus and riverboat tours all over Europe as well as bus tours all over the U.S.  One of their favorite places to travel was Hawaii.  They had many favorite casino destinations in Wisconsin as Larry loved to play poker, especially with his longtime friend, Dave.

Our favorite family memory is of all the summers up north together swimming, fishing and skiing and, of course, Pappy's Bar.  Larry was a huge fan of the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers.  He cherished time spent with his grandkids and recently getting to know his great grandchildren.

Throughout Larry's life he endured many serious illnesses and complications without complaint and with great faith in God; and we are at peace knowing he is without pain and home in heaven with his loved ones.

Missing him is his wife of 63 years, Sandra; their children Cheryl (Larry) Olsen, Ken Zade, Colleen (Scott) Mazemke; grandchildren, Jessica Olsen, Katie (Mehran) Mohammadian; Matt Olsen and fiancé Kelly Olson, Chelsey (Jake) Ward, Caylee (Brandon) Baerenwald and soon to be baby great granddaughter, great grandchildren Emmie and Milo Mohammadian, Jameson and Callie Ward, a sister, Marilyn Osterlie and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Valley VNA, 1535 Lyon Dr., Neenah, WI 54956. Please wear your favorite Packers, Badgers, or Brewers clothing.

Private family burial will be in St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Cemetery in Lake Mills.

The family wishes to thank Valley VNA for their care of Larry.

www.claussenfuneralhome.com