ELMER GOLLNOW

Lifelong and very proud Neenah resident Elmer C. Gollnow died in Neenah on January 25 having just celebrated his 98th birthday. Elmer was born in Neenah on January 20, 1915 to parents David and Mary Gollnow. He married the late Marion Elizabeth Anderson, also of Neenah, on August 12, 1938 and together they raised daughters Lynne, Barbara Bobbie , and Anne until Marions death in 1987. A 1933 graduate of Neenah High School, Elmer Gollnow was captain of the tennis team and continued to be an avid supporter of Neenah sports throughout his life. He began work at Kimberly Clark in 1934 and retired in 1980 after 46 loyal years, interrupted only for service during World War II with the 8th Air Force in the European theater of operations. Elmer Gollnow was a member and active leader at Neenahs Faith United Methodist Church for his entire life. Some of his important roles there included serving as President of the Board of Trustees; Finance Committee member; Sunday School Superintendent; delegate to the United Methodist Wisconsin Conference; and enthusiastic tenor in the church choir. In the community Elmer served as President of The Neenah Club; President and Secretary of the Neenah-Menasha Retired Mens Fellowship; Treasurer of the American Cancer Society; Treasurer and Director of Island Shores Retirement Living Center; and a member of Committees on Aging both for Neenah and Winnebago County. Gollnows community roles also included serving as Director and Treasurer of the American Red Cross in Neenah-Menasha and many years with Meals on Wheels. He was well known as a very active volunteer for the Theda Clark Hospital Auxiliary, and was one of those people who made everyones day at the hospital a bit brighter. In addition to his love for tennis and long support of Neenah High sports, Elmer never failed to follow his cherished Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and of course the Packers. Win or lose, he always found something positive to say about the days game and his devotion to the teams never failed. In recent years Elmer has been a resident at the Neenah VNA, maintaining an active social schedule, enjoying the companionship of friend Edna Pierre, and traveling to favorite Wisconsin destinations whenever possible. It would be difficult to find anyone more proud of their Neenah heritage. Elmer always enjoyed a drive around The Point (which he did just last Thursday with his daughters!) and stopping for an ice cream cone or a chat with his many friends. Before moving to the VNA in his later years, the home and yard he and Marion built next to Laudan Park was a source of enjoyment and pride, too. One of Elmers daughters has said, Dad taught me how to be happy . Her sisters, his grandchildren, and the many people in the Fox River Valley who knew him would agree. Elmer and Marions three daughters Lynne (John) Severson of Northfield, MN; Barbara (Jim) Lau of Brookfield, WI; and Anne (Roger) Bildsten of Edina, MN added seven grandchildren to the clan: Peter (deceased in 1996) and Eric Severson; Lisa (Greg) Rudy, Jodi (Chris) Haages, and David (Chandra) Lau; and Emily (Jon) Cramer, and Harriet (David Priem) Bildsten, plus great grandchildren Mackenzie and Josh Rudy, Carson and Callie Haages, Grace Cramer, and Baby Girl Lau due in May. Donations to honor the memory of Elmer Gollnow may be sent to Valley VNA Senior Services, 1535 Lyon Drive Neenah, WI 54956, valleyvna.org or Faith United Methodist Church in Neenah. The family thanks everyone at the VNA for the wonderful care they provide. A gathering to celebrate Elmers life is planned for 2:00 on Friday, February 1, in the Keller Community Center Room at Valley VNA, 1533 Lyon Drive in Neenah, preceded by visitation beginning at 1:30.