Class of 1965
Parents of Bill Petzoldt
February 3, 2007
Cleve Louis Petzoldt
Aug. 17, 1914 – Feb. 1, 2007
The world will never be the
same. Our father was granted his final wish – to join Mom without too much
“fuss” and bother. A simple man, he died with dignity and grace in the presence
of family who adored him. He was respected by all who knew him. Cleve was so
special it took 92 years to live his life and he loved every moment. He remarked
constantly that he was the “luckiest man ever” to have such wonderful family and
friends. A fall, resulting in a broken hip caused his body to give up. He was
just tired.
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, a Life Celebration
Open House will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. at his home, 302 Woodlawn, Caldwell.
Please join us.
Wanting Dad to know how much he meant
to us, we would like to share excerpts from a letter written for him last year.
It is a pleasure to present moments in the happy and full life of Cleve Louis
Petzoldt.
“To our darling Daddy – What a
privilege it has been to be born your child. Words can’t express how we will
miss your sweet face when the time comes for you to join Mom. So many
opportunities have come and gone for us to say how much we care. Sure – all four
of us kids make a point of saying ‘I love you’ as we hang up the phone, waiting
for that little ‘Yah, me-you-too, honey.’ However, it is not enough to just tell
you how special you are – we want to express our feelings while we can still see
that small gleam of delight in your eyes. One thing we will always remember is
how much love you had for us, your kindness, and always being there for us no
matter what. You would drop everything to do anything for us.
“It seems like even recently you are
here to bail us out of problems and to give advice. It is a good thing that we
did not become lawyers or politicians, because we are reminded time and again to
stay away from ‘their kind.’ That is our wonder father, opinionated and not
without an answer to the world situation. . . . . . .
“Your life was typical of those born
near the turn of the century in the
“Life was not without excitement after
high school graduation in 1933, as you followed your famous Uncle Paul to
“You married Arletta Marie Sly on Oct.
21, 1938, starting the next 60 years of happily married life. The newly created
Petzoldt family became quite the nomads, moving on a whim. You would come home,
tell Mom to pack and be ready in the morning, and off you’d go following the
scent of steady employment. Babies came in quick succession. Linda made her
appearance in 1940, Karen in 1943 and Bill in 1947, all magically born in
“Not many people are so blessed to have
a close family like we have had all these years. Your grandkids have always been
special to you and you to them. How lucky Amy and Cody were to have you as their
father figure. They learned so many good things from your example. You are truly
loved by Tony, Tina, Todd and Richard. They think you are the greatest. Nikki,
Shane and Shannon adore you. Kristy, Julie and Jon have many fond memories of
being with you and Mom. All the sons-in-law, Denny, Ron and John envy your
accomplishments in life and respect your wisdom. Bill’s Jacquie cares so much
for you and tries to keep you fed and happy. Now you have oodles and oodles of
step-grandchildren, great grandkids – too many to count. . . . . . .
“Your good nature and generosity has
not stopped at home. For years Petzoldt Construction sponsored the Jazz softball
team, providing Nikki and her friends with hours of fun while winning trophy
after trophy. Those were wonderful times, and you made many lifetime friends in
the community. . . . . . .
“We just all want to join in letting
you know what a wonderful, special person you are and always have been. And to
let you know that we think we are the luckiest children ever born. We love you
unconditionally.”
Cleve is survived and never will be
forgotten by a son – Bill (Jacquie) Petzoldt; three daughters – Linda (Dennis)
August 31, 1998
Arletta Marie Sly Petzoldt
The family is saddened at the passing of their wife, mother, grandmother and best friend. She died peacefully on August 28, 1998, after a courageous battle with lung cancer – loved ones at her side. A loving, devoted and supportive wife, and a more perfect portrait of motherhood can not be imagined. Her grandchildren adored her and she was greatly admired throughout her large community of friends and family.
Arletta will be remembered for her “always engaging SMILE,” which appeared from the heart.
On October 21, 1938 Arletta married Cleve Petzoldt, the love of her life.
Their relationship was always full of harmony and understanding for each other’s
needs. They settled in Homedale in 1952, later moving to
Arletta recently commented that she was grateful to her club for allowing her that “one last hand” this spring. It meant so much to her.
Born in
Cleve and Arletta sponsored a championship girl’s softball team, the Jazz
for four seasons, and enjoyed traveling to games and tournaments. For may years
she was the Office Manager at the Falk’s ID in
The family wants everyone to know how very blessed we feel to have had this perfect woman as a wife and mother. Words cannot express the joy we shared with her, and she loved us back unconditionally.
Arletta is survived and will never be forgotten by her husband of almost 60 years, Cleve; 1 son, Bill Petzoldt; 3 daughters and their husbands, Linda and Dennis Colton, Karen and Ron Crowe, Cheryl and John Sargent; a sister, Wanda Martin; and a close special friend, Phyllis Sayers. She had many beautiful grandchildren – Tony, Tina, Todd and Richard; Nikki, Shane and Shannon; Kristie, Julie and Jon; Amy and Cody; numerous great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, and friends made her life complete.
She was grateful for all the cards, flowers and notes of support during her long illness. The family would like to acknowledge their deep appreciation to her daughter, Karen, for a total commitment of devotion, love, companionship and dedication as care giver during the final months, and to Dr. Thomas Beck, MSTI staff and the Hospice nurses from St. Luke’s.
Services will be held at Flahiff Funeral Chapel in