Loyde E. Childs

MARSHALL - Loyde E. Childs, 86, of Marshall, Wis., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, with his family by his side. Born in the city of Eau Claire, Wis., Loyde was the son of Henrietta and Loyde L. Childs Sr. He married Sharon L. Davis in July of 1960 in Madison, Wis.

Loyde graduated from Madison East High School in 1955 and attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Thereafter he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War.

Loyde worked for GTE in both Sun Prairie and Wausau, Wis., for 33 years. Beginning in 1960, he served in several positions starting as an open-circuit lineman setting up “party lines” of 8-10 households per line. He worked in the northern Wisconsin communities of Eagle River, Three Lakes, Minocqua and more.  Some of Wisconsin’s first fiber-optic cable was laid by Loyde’s crew across the Scott Street bridge in Wausau. Loyde eventually oversaw construction engineering projects and crews in a four-state region.

Loyde was an avid golfer, enjoyed downhill skiing with his family at most of the large ski resorts in Colorado and Utah and was a passionate upland bird and waterfowl hunter. He also raised and trained English Springer Spaniels (bird dogs) often taking two and three of them with him on trips in Wisconsin and to Iowa, and Nebraska for up to a week at a time. Loyde trained eight springers through the years, masterfully creating A-class working dogs and loving, gentle lap dogs. He needed to share this passion with others, so Loyde became a Wisconsin State Hunter’s Safety Instructor, teaching a younger generation the joys of hunting. Loyde is also a published author of his escapades in several outdoor and hunting magazines.

Loyde is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sharon L. Childs; daughter, Carrie (Tom) Radue of Savage, Minn.; son, Craig (JoAnn Benton) Childs of Urbandale, Iowa; granddaughters, Amanda (Childs) Stocker, Erin Radue, and Megan Childs; as well as great-grandchildren, Amelia, and Bennet Stocker. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be held at BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH, 300 Broadway Drive, Sun Prairie, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, with the Rev. Rodney Serbus and the Rev. Benjamin Leeper presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Looking back, Loyde always made the most of his time with family, friends, coworkers and military associates. His thoughtfulness and kindness are treasured attributes for which he will always be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, Loyde’s family requests memorials be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie, Wis., or other charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com <http://www.gundersonfh.com>.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420