Obituary for John W. Syndergaard
John W. Syndergaard, age 82 of Cecil, formerly of Shawano, passed away on Saturday afternoon, July 10, 2021 in Shawano.
John was born December 7, 1938 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Edward and Esther Syndergaard. He graduated from Barron High School in 1956, and from Iowa State University in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science. John was a very active man about campus. He was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity, and was the recipient of the Cardinal Key, the highest honorary given to deserving students. On December 20, 1959, John was united in marriage to Nancy Jane Olson at the First Lutheran Church in Barron. John and Nancy began dating 67 years ago, starting at age 14 and 15, and celebrated 61 years of marriage on December 20, 2020.
John’s career included time spent at the Iowa State Dairy Association, Pincherry Hill family farm with his father, Ed, Genex (formerly Midwest Breeders), and 30 plus years in the banking industry. He retired from M&I Bank in 1997. John had a special affinity for music and sang lead in the Butterchords Barbershop Quartet, an award winning quartet, in international competition. He also enjoyed downhill skiing which he did well into his 70’s, traveling, camping, hunting, and fishing. John shared a love of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northeastern Minnesota with his children and grandchildren. Following his retirement, John became interested in hunting for and carving diamond willow walking sticks. He gifted many to family and friends, and made certain all eleven grandchildren had one of their own.
John is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Cecil; his son, Jon, and his wife, Barb Syndergaard, of Green Bay, and their children, Jacob Syndergaard, and his fiancée Sarah Hoffman, and Dana Syndergaard; his daughter, Mary, and her husband, Joel Bowles, of River Falls, and their children, Ian, Dane, and Finn Bowles; his granddaughter, Erika Winterfeldt, and her children, Quintin and Josiah; and his grandsons, Andrew, Anthony, and Alex Accivatti. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Buettner; his son-in-law, Kurt Buettner; his brother, Larry Syndergaard; and his sister, Mary Bisek.
A time to celebrate and remember John’s life will take place on Saturday, July 24, 2021at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano. Pastor Scott Ludford will officiate. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM and continue until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials will be established in John’s name.
John was born December 7, 1938 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Edward and Esther Syndergaard. He graduated from Barron High School in 1956, and from Iowa State University in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science. John was a very active man about campus. He was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity, and was the recipient of the Cardinal Key, the highest honorary given to deserving students. On December 20, 1959, John was united in marriage to Nancy Jane Olson at the First Lutheran Church in Barron. John and Nancy began dating 67 years ago, starting at age 14 and 15, and celebrated 61 years of marriage on December 20, 2020.
John’s career included time spent at the Iowa State Dairy Association, Pincherry Hill family farm with his father, Ed, Genex (formerly Midwest Breeders), and 30 plus years in the banking industry. He retired from M&I Bank in 1997. John had a special affinity for music and sang lead in the Butterchords Barbershop Quartet, an award winning quartet, in international competition. He also enjoyed downhill skiing which he did well into his 70’s, traveling, camping, hunting, and fishing. John shared a love of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northeastern Minnesota with his children and grandchildren. Following his retirement, John became interested in hunting for and carving diamond willow walking sticks. He gifted many to family and friends, and made certain all eleven grandchildren had one of their own.
John is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Cecil; his son, Jon, and his wife, Barb Syndergaard, of Green Bay, and their children, Jacob Syndergaard, and his fiancée Sarah Hoffman, and Dana Syndergaard; his daughter, Mary, and her husband, Joel Bowles, of River Falls, and their children, Ian, Dane, and Finn Bowles; his granddaughter, Erika Winterfeldt, and her children, Quintin and Josiah; and his grandsons, Andrew, Anthony, and Alex Accivatti. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Buettner; his son-in-law, Kurt Buettner; his brother, Larry Syndergaard; and his sister, Mary Bisek.
A time to celebrate and remember John’s life will take place on Saturday, July 24, 2021at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano. Pastor Scott Ludford will officiate. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM and continue until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials will be established in John’s name.