Greta Marie Sayler

Greta M. Sayler, age 37, passed a peaceful and holy death surrounded by her loving family on January 13, 2022. She was born in North Dakota on August 6, 1984, daughter of Glenn and Glenda (Schmidt) Sayler. Greta was born with Cri du Chat syndrome, a rare genetic disorder due to a shortening of the fifth chromosome that effects neurological and physical development.  Despite a life expectancy of one year and the forecast to be permanently bed-ridden, Greta lived a full life and never let anything stop her. She graduated from Freedom High School, class of 2005. After a while on her own, she always desired to come back home to her mom and dad. This last year she was able to do that, which made her very happy.

Greta loved her dolls, giving each of them a place to sleep in her bed, sometimes leaving no room for her! She loved animals and making messes for others to clean up. Her friendships with Chris Holmes and Bev Peters were very important to her. Greta was notorious for stuffing her many bags with anything she could find around the house – especially without anyone knowing what she took.  Her favorite greeting was to make the “crazy” sign language gesture and she was the life of the party when the Chicken Dance was played. It is rumored that the lyrics “rewind Barney for the 18th time” are in reference to Greta.

Greta always had a smile and she had a heart of gold. Her spunky attitude was always sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. If she got mad at her family, she would always apologize right after. Greta touched people’s hearts just being who she was.  

Greta is survived by her parents, Glenn and Glenda Sayler; siblings: Greg (Stacey) Sayler, Grant (Jenny) Sayler, Garth Sayler and Gina (Sam) Schmalz; nieces and nephews: Rose, Walter, Teddy, Thomas, Ruby, Carson, Max, Rachel, Oliver and another on the way; grandparents: Herman and Alvina Sayler and James Schmidt; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Greta was preceded in death by her grandmother, Helen Schmidt; aunts: Connie and Marsha Schmidt; and a cousin, Simon Becker.

A visitation for Greta will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home FREEDOM LOCATION, N3972 Columbia Ave. A prayer service will conclude the evening at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday morning at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, W2037 County Road S, Freedom, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. The Mass will be livestreamed at www.tinyurl.com/stnicholasfreedom. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

The Sayler family would like to extend a special thank you to the ThedaCare Appleton staff, especially Monica, for the wonderful care given to Greta during her final days.

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