Gustav C. Ponto

Gustav C Ponto, 92, formerly of Neshkoro, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Patriot Place in Berlin, Wisconsin.

Gus was born on April 1, 1934, to Edward and Elma (Reetz) Ponto in the township of Neshkoro. Gus was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church of Neshkoro where he has been a lifelong member.

Gus’ cousin, Russell Reetz, set Gus up with Russell’s wife’s sister, Valois Daye. They continued dating while Valois was a student at County Normal in Wautoma and attended the University of Stevens Point to become a teacher, and Gus served in the military.

Gus and Valois were married on April 20, 1957, at the United Methodist Church in Neshkoro. They lived for a brief time in Ripon, and then moved to Neshkoro where they raised their 4 children and lived in the same house for 65 years.

Gus was in the military. He was a bus driver and worked in maintenance for 39 years for the Westfield School District. He was a former member of the Neshkoro Snowmobile Club, Fire Department and Village Board.

Gus and Valois discovered they both enjoyed camping. They bought a camper and spent many summers camping at the Chain O’ Lakes Campground in Eagle River. They both also worked there during the summer and enjoyed their time spent there with Valois’ sister and brother-in-law, Viv and Ron Loomis.

Gus’ greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His face would light up whenever he knew he would be seeing them. They would come for sleepovers and he would make them Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes. He and Valois would often take them camping during the summer. They truly brought much joy and love into his life.

Those remaining to cherish Gus’ memory include Valois, his loving wife of 69 years; daughters, Pamela, Cheryl (Brent) Clauson, Paula (Brian) Lutzen; grandchildren, Brittney (Carl) Semrow, Cody (Michelle) Clauson, Courtney (Patrick) Larson, Christopher (Kayla) Lutzen, Destiny (Dan) Sandow, Alex (Justin) Bowey, Kaitlyn (fiancé Conner), Alyssa and MacKenna; 5 great-granddaughters and 5 great-grandsons, sister-in-law Vivien Loomis and sister-in-law Mavis Ponto, and many nieces and nephews.

Gus was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, 1 sister, his son Kevin, and many sisters- in- law and brothers- in- law.

The family would like to give thanks to everyone who has been so helpful and kind to Gus; especially to Mary and John, Wanda, Karla, Bryan and Wes. He truly enjoyed your visits and appreciated everything you did for him.

A funeral service for Gustav Ponto will be held on Monday, June 1st, 2026, at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 227 N State Street in Neshkoro. Pastor Charles Schultz will officiate. Following the service Gus will be laid to rest at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Neshkoro.