Lance Raymond Lettau

Lance Raymond Lettau was born in Fond du Lac on August 8th, 1949 to Niel and Gloria Lettau. During his childhood, Lance found himself working at Horseshoe Springs and thus began his lifelong love and passion for horses. He attended Goodrich High School where he ran track and field and enjoyed playing baseball and football. After high school, Lance went on to live out his dream of working with horses. He moved to Chicago and fell in love with the world of Harness Racing. For over a decade he owned, trained, and raced harness horses. When it was time to settle down and change careers, Lance eventually joined Local Union 873 as a machinist. He officially retired from John Deere on January 1st 2011.

On August 16th, 1985, Lance married the love of his life, Rita Renderman in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lance and Rita were soulmates. Ironically enough, both sets of their parents were also best friends which tied these two families together for eternity. They brought three beautiful children into this world; Lauren, Niel, and Leigha. Lance was an avid family man. As a loving, doted father he spent every possible moment making memories with and caring for his wife and children. He enjoyed taking them on family trips and showing them the beauty of the world. He spent many summers taking his children camping on the weekends, playing ball in the yard, and traveling to visit his relatives. Nearly every week his family would gather to celebrate Sunday Fundays with him.

Lance had many hobbies including playing poker and gambling. He thoroughly enjoyed watching sports with his son and texting his friends just to banter. From football, to baseball, to golf he never missed a beat. Lance may have been a very opinionated person, but he was very quick- witted and always had an answer for everything. He brought humor to this world by always having a joke at hand and found much joy in making others laugh. He was a very knowledgeable man who took up interest in history, politics, and how the world works. He was the type of man anyone would go to for help and advice because he had the world figured out. Lance was a master at the grill, his specialty being his juicy, crispy Johnsonville Brats. Lance was also a sucker for good music. From Elvis to the Grateful Dead, bands like REO and Styx, live music was an easy way for him to feel good. Attending concerts with his those he loved was always a special treat. Lance also had a wild and deep connection with animals of all kinds. He had many pets over the years. Even the local wildlife like the ducks and birds were drawn to his down-to-earth natural personality. But his favorite animals of all time were a tiny little dog he called Pupkins (Oreo) and a big horse named ‘Steppin Dale’. He was even able to re-live his dream of Harness Racing in his later years. But out of all the things he loved and enjoyed the most- his absolute favorite thing in the whole-wide world, was his wife of 37 years- Rita. They had many dreams, goals, and ambitions in store for their future. But God had other plans for him because on April 8th, 2022 he was called home.

Lance is survived by his wife Rita Lettau, his oldest daughter Lauren Lettau (Chad Smith), son Niel Lettau, his youngest daughter Leigha Lettau (Patrick Lucas); five grandchildren whom he loved dearly and deeply adored: Haleigh Lettau-Gillman, Carson “Buzzard” Lettau, Harper Lettau, Hannah Smith, and Lucy Lettau; two younger sisters Lana (Chris) Bastien and Holly Lettau.

Lance is further survived by in-laws Donald and Mary Stephany, Steve and Heather Renderman, Barbara Abitz, and Julie Renderman; cousins Jil Little, Dennis and Elaine Beckus, Joel Brockwell, and more. Lance had many special nieces and nephews, as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews, and his special friends; William and Mark Stangarone, Bob Cerbe, David Senecal and David Hamm.

Lance was preceded in death by his parents Niel and Gloria Lettau (Parman); grandparents Edward and Lillian Parman and August and Mildred Lettau; aunts Jini Little and Joan Beckus and cousins Jolene Folds and Ross Little.

Lance’s family would like to thank the North Fond du Lac Police Department, especially officers Bryce Laluzerne and Zachary Clinton. As well as Lisa Rolfe, the North Fond du Lac first responders, Zacherl Funeral Home, and the Fond du Lac American Legion Society.

Visitation will be held this Friday, April 15th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Zacherl Funeral Home in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The family will gather immediately following services at the Fond du Lac American Legion Hall located at 500 Fond du Lac Avenue.