Homedale High School

Class of 1965

 

 

    Parents of Bill Petzoldt

 

 

 

Idaho Press-Tribune

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 Midwest. Will and Lillie Petzoldt welcomed their first child in a little town near Orient, Iowa. You were the first grandson and we are told – readily spoiled by numerous grandparents, aunts and uncles who were a wonderful mix of German and English heritage. Your parents were gentle and kind hard working farmers who followed other family members to Idaho when you were just a baby. . . . . . .

      “Life was not without excitement after high school graduation in 1933, as you followed your famous Uncle Paul to Jackson Hole, Wyo. To work summers. Paul was going about his history making adventures climbing the Teton Mountains and becoming one of the first to scale many mountain peaks. You joined him on ascents to the top several times, and could not have been more proud of that relationship. His fame made ‘Petzoldt’ a nationally know name throughout the world. . . . . . .

            “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 Twin Falls. Little sister Cheryl arrived in October of 1954 with great anticipation. Mom’s illness and untimely death in 1998 brought much sadness, but also a reminder about how lucky the two of you had been in your 60 years of marriage and time together. . . . . . .

            “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) Colton, Karen (Ron) Crowe, Cheryl (John) Sargent; sister Verla Austin; close special friend Phyllis Sayers; and his companion “Dog” who will miss him greatly. He had many beautiful grandkids; numerous great-grandkids and step grandkids. Friends, cousins, nieces and nephews made his life complete.

 

Idaho Press-Tribune

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 Caldwell. Her love of playing cards was shared by most family members, and she spent many fun filled moments on “spur of the minute” trips to Jackpot. Arletta and Cleve’s 50th anniversary was celebrated at a super gala party at Cactus Pete’s. She was especially happy that night, as she and Dad were toasted by family and friends and recognized for their special long lasting, genuine love of one another. After her children had grown, and when time permitted, she began a lengthy affair with the art of playing Bridge. Playing in several clubs, she garnered many wonderful partner/friends, gaining their respect as an expert teacher of the game, and excellent player who never forgot that the reason for the game was FUN. But she took this “Fun” very seriously.

            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 Twin Falls, Idaho on September 7, 1919, to Linnie and Claude Sly, Arletta lived in the same family home with her 4 older sisters – Lora, Thelma, Fanny and Wanda and 1 brother, Isaac until her marriage.

            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 Caldwell.

            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 Caldwell on Wednesday at 2 p.m., September 2, 1998.