Adele “Toots” Stielow, 94, passed away Friday morning December 31, 2021. She
died in the home she and her late husband, Walter, built themselves and where
she had lived for many years.
Toots was born on June 19th 1927 in Sheboygan, a daughter of the late German
Russians, John and Elizabeth Ertel, who immigrated here from the Volga River
region in 1912. Her siblings Marie, John, Emily and Fritz have all preceded her in
death. She grew up on the family farm outside of Sheboygan during the Great
Depression, speaking both English and German. She attended a country one room
schoolhouse and learned to read very early. She later graduated from Central
High School.
On July 24th, 1948 she was united in marriage to Walter Stielow at Holy Name of
Jesus Catholic Church. They met when he came into the office of Mayline, where
she worked as a billing clerk for 23 years. They celebrated their Golden Wedding
Anniversary in 1998. Toots and Walter were inseparable, which led to Toots
becoming part of “The Penguins Club”. The Penguins organized in grade school
and vowed they would be friends forever in Penguin solidarity. They chose the
name of their social club because they wanted to be different from the Lions,
Moose and Elks. They also liked how penguins appeared to be wearing formal
attire and how that contrasted with their opinion of themselves as being “slobs”.
When the penguins went their separate ways after high school, they promised to
get together several times a year and made their wives full members.
Toots and Walter loved German Shepherds and had many wonderful ones over
the years. Most notably “Tex” who was a gentle giant. They also loved visiting
supper clubs all over the area. A tradition she continued for many years with her
family. Her cocktail of choice was a “brandy sweet with a lemon twist”
affectionately know by those who loved her as a “Toots drink” or just a “Toots”.
Toots lived her life her own way from the start to the end. As a child, she legally
changed her name from Adelia to Adele without her parents ever knowing. She
never suffered from debilitating illness, cut her own grass, raked, and bagged her
leaves and was able to leave this world peacefully in her own home. She was
always interested in the wellbeing of her family and had a great sense of humor.
She spoke slowly and softly because she never had to do otherwise. Her voice was
soft and slow, but she was sharp as a razor all the way to the end. She never aged
for decades. In fact, she was such an incredible example of aging gracefully, she
earned another nickname “The Legend”. She was a presence in our lives and will
be dearly missed.
She was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and is survived by her
nephews Lance (wife Patti and son Cory), Bruce Ertel, and nieces Diane Petkus,
Jackie Everly, and Deborah Rosenberg. Her nephew Tom Petkus (deceased) is
survived by Sam and Bess Petkus. She was blessed with wonderful friends and
neighbors Tom and Jane, who were as close as family.
Family and friends may gather at Trinity Lutheran Church, 824 Wisconsin Ave.
Sheboygan on Monday January 31, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service
at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Timothy Mech will officiate. Entombment to follow in the
Holy Cross Mausoleum.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com
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