Obituary: Diane M. Getschow, Longtime Kenilworth Resident

Diane M. Getschow, a resident of Kenilworth for 58 years, died on Nov. 12, 2012, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Getschow was born on March 5, 1935, in Crystal Lake, the only child of the late Arthur Morava and Lillian Morava nee Dopke. Mrs. Getschow married her loving husband, the late Lee E. Getschow, in 1955, and as newlyweds lived on an Air Force Base in Arizona. After Mr. Getschow's tour of duty ended, the couple moved to Kenilworth and began a legacy that would make a positive impact on the lives of generations of Kenilworth residents.

While Mr. Getschow coached the Kenilworth Rebels junior high school football team and was a Scout Troop Leader for almost 40 years, Mrs. Getschow was the driving force behind the scenes that allowed it all to happen. Mrs. Getschow not only offered her home for Rebel football activities and weekly scout meetings, but she also monitored the neighborhood kids who played throughout the winter on the giant toboggan slide and ice rink set up in the Getschow's back yard. In addition, Mrs. Getschow was active in both Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts for many years. Besides juggling the busy schedules of her husband, four children, scouts and Rebels,

Mrs. Getschow also ran a highly successful small business where she designed and sold jewelry to private customers and at showings throughout Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.

She was also very proud of her 12-year service on the Board of Directors at the Golden Strand Resort and Villas in Miami Beach. She was on the Junior Board of the Hadley School for the Blind, and was a board member of the Infant Welfare Society. After her husband died she continued to support his favorite charity, the Glenwood Academy (formerly Glenwood School for Boys and Girls), by annually donating the Christmas tree and by sponsoring fundraising efforts for Glenwood's "Camp Getschow", the camp in northern Wisconsin named after her husband.

Mrs. Getschow was an accomplished golfer, having won many tournaments at her club in Appleton, Wisconsin. She was also an outstanding curler and dancer.

Mrs. Getschow is survived by her four children, Mark (Marcia), Appleton, Wisconsin; Kurt, Green Bay, Wisconsin; Heidi (Peter) Higgins, Kenilworth; and Brettschneider (Christine), Appleton; and eight grandchildren, Derek, Kyle, Lindsey, Alec, Kurt, Pete, Leah, Tyler, and one great grandchild, Aiden.

Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 1:00 p.m. at Church of the Holy Comforter, 222 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth.

The interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Camp Getschow at Glenwood Academy, 18700 S. Halsted St., Glenwood.

Editor's Note: This obituary was provided by Donnellan Family Funeral Home. You can read more local obituaries on our obituaries page.