Clayton Eric "Clay" Schaetzel

Clayton Eric “Clay” Schaetzel, 91, passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in Naples, Florida. He was born in Fond du Lac on May 18, 1934, to Edward and Louise (Heider) Schaetzel. Clayton proudly served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), was stationed in Japan, and honorably discharged as a Corporal. He met the love of his life, Grace Nitschke while working at Tolibia Cheese. The two were married on March 12, 1960, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac. They were such great partners and role models to everyone around them.

After graduating from Fond du Lac High School, and serving in the Marines, Clayton returned home and made a career in the cheese industry for the next 40 years. He was in management and knew all the secrets to cheesemaking, and was a skilled cheesemaker. Clayton worked at Tolibia Cheese in Fond du Lac, and Beatrice Cheese in Fredericksburg, Iowa. When he retired from ConAgra, Clayton and Grace were all ready to move to Florida for the warmer weather. He was active in the Marine Corps League of Naples and Our Savior Lutheran Church.

He was a diehard Packers and Brewers fan and was an avid sports lover. At family reunions you would always catch him playing baseball with the nieces and nephews. Clay was a family man. He treasured time with his family taking yearly trips camping to South Dakota & Yellowstone when the children were younger. He was a man of strong faith, allegiance to his country, and would do anything for anyone.

Clayton is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Grace, of Nashua, Iowa; son, Bill (Diane) Schaetzel of Nashua; son-in-law, Kurt Bratton; grandchildren, Andy (Taylor) Throndson, Matt (Morgan) Bratton, and Tyler Bratton; great-granddaughters, Lucy and Finley Bratton, and Blake Throndson; great-grandson, Coleson Throndson; sisters, Virgilyn “Virgi” Driscoll, and Marilyn “Moni” Johnson; and sisters-in-law, Lois Schaetzel, and Maryann Schaetzel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Grace’s parents, Milton and Adeline Nitschke; a son, Bart Schaetzel; his daughter, Susan Bratton; a grandson, Ryan Bratton; and siblings, LeRoy (Pam) Schaetzel, Byron Schaetzel, Lyle Schaetzel, Myrtle (Frank) Gauger, and Evelyn (Mike) Sefferen.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Ledgeview Memorial Park, N6250 County Road K in Fond du Lac. Burial and Military Funeral Honors will follow the service.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com