Virginia M. Zastrow

Virginia M. Zastrow, 99, town of Wausau, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2026 while under the care of St. Croix Hospice at Careview Transitional Care of Weston.

She was born December 21, 1926, in Wausau, daughter of the late August and Marie (Behnke) Tietz. On May 22, 1943 she married Fred Zastrow in Wausau. He preceded her in death on June 26, 2000.

Mom belonged to the Highland Grove Grade School Mothers Club and the Highland Homemakers Club. She could fix the electric cord on her clothes iron as well as adjust the carburetor on the car. Holidays were always special with decorations, gifts and special meals.

Mom and Dad enjoyed fishing trips to Canada later in life and spent years bowling and going to casinos.

After dad’s passing, she enjoyed textile painting, Nintendo Wii, bowling, writing poetry and word find puzzles. Her treasured dog, Slick, kept her company.

She remained in the beloved farm home of 83 years until 10 days before her passing. Mom attended Grant, Franklin and Highland Grove grade schools in Wausau through the 8th grade. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Wausau. She attended Sunday School regularly.

Mom met dad because she was a good friend to Delores “Toots” Zastrow, dad’s sister, during school days. Romance blossomed and they married on May 22, 1943 at a pastor’s house in Wausau. A honeymoon trip to LaCrosse followed.

A family came along and Mom and Dad became farm owners in 1949. Through lean years Mom helped with hand milking, cooking, canning meats, fruits and vegetables and cared for her large family. Mom enjoyed doing beautiful pencil drawings, writing poetry and keeping a notebook of song lyrics in her younger years. After raising the family Mom began an extensive doll collection which she enjoyed thoroughly.

Survivors include her children, Linda Schroeder, Wausau, Donna Kufahl, Wausau, Elroy (Sharon) Zastrow, Wausau, Vicki Deckert, Wausau, Arlin Zastrow, Wausau, her grandchildren, Todd (Jane) Schroeder, Troy (Tammy) Schroeder, Ted (fiancé Michelle) Schroeder, Tiffany (Jeremy) Knopow, Blake (Beckie) Kufahl, Brett Kufahl, Brooke (Bob) Frenkel, Jennifer (Brad) Altergott, Scott Zastrow, Steven (Amanda) Zastrow, Karen Zastrow, Rod (Stacey) Zastrow, Kelly Zastrow, Alec (Bianca) Zastrow, Brittanie (Matt) Schulz, Amelia Zastrow, Dustin Dudek, Travis (Shania) Wistrom, Ryan (Meghan) Wistrom, Erika (Dan) Staffeil, Cody Smoker, Kyle Smoker, her great grandchildren, Adam (Amanda), Brad, Corwin, Griffin (Amanacer), Willow, Hudson, Hazel, Alexia, Alivia, Brock, Jadden, Logan, Samantha (Tyler), Brandon (Emilee), Morgahn, Siena, Oakley, Odessa, Natalee, Julian, Chanelle, Cole, Jenna, Brooke, Klaire, Gracie, Ember, Bria, Allie, Alex, Chase, George (Megan), Saxon (Aylissa) and great great grandchildren, Teagan, Layne, Ayden, Abbie, Mason, Lilah, Emma, Nora and numerous nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Fred in 2000, her children, Wayne Zastrow in 1972, Garry Zastrow in 2009, Robin Zastrow in 2018 and Kathy Wistrom in 2026. She was also preceded in death by her sons-in-law, Richard “Dick” Schroeder, Gary Wistrom and Bruce Kufahl and her siblings, Henry (Ella) Tietz, Clarence (Marge) Tietz, Lorinda (Ralph) Wimmer, Hilda (Claude) Pettit, Harold (Christa) Tietz, August (Cathleen) Tietz, Emil Tietz and Verna Tietz.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau.  Chris Ewan will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services all at the Sixth Street funeral home. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Virginia’s name. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com