Gaylord H. Goerl

Gaylord Henry Goerl, aged 90, passed away peacefully into the arms of his savior on June 19, 2024. He was born on January 17, 1934 in Appleton, WI, the son of Henry and Christiana (Hoeft) Goerl. Gaylord started his career as a crane operator at Valley Iron Works / Allis Chalmers, retiring after 42 years. He met his wife Elaine on a blind date set up by a mutual friend. He was smitten, and courted her for 2 years before they married on May 2, 1959 at St Matthew Lutheran Church in Appleton. Gaylord enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, camping, and spending weekends up north at their cottage, Acorn Hollow. He was an avid cheerleader for his granddaughters’ sports and loved watching the Packers, Badgers, Timber Rattlers and the Brewers. He was an active Union man, and was the Secretary/Treasurer of the IAM Local for many years. 

Gaylord is survived by his wife of 65 years Elaine (Koepke) Goerl; Children Chris (Eileen) Goerl, New London; Brian (Lyla) Goerl, Kaukauna; Deanna Olson, Minneapolis, MN; Granddaughters Rebekah (Justin) Rindt, Grafton; Lyla (Eric) Reuter, Appleton; Kaylee (Nick) Schommer, Suamico; Ariel (Colin) Raymond, Pasadena, CA; Melissa Goerl, Appleton; and Hannah Goerl, Phoenix, AZ. Great Grandsons Jack and Luka Schommer and Ethan and Liam Reuter. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

Gaylord was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Christiana (Hoeft) Goerl, Roger (Ceil) Goerl, Arlene Goerl, Wilbur Goerl, Virginia (Jim) Pulling, and Ralph (Sharon) Goerl, and several nieces and nephews.

The Christian Funeral Service for Gaylord will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, located at 129 S. Mason Street in Appleton.  Rev. Jon Kuske will officiate, and Gaylord will find earthly rest at Highland Memorial Park.  Visitation will be held directly at the church on Thursday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service,

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Rennes Health and Rehab Center for their care & company.