Don Zietlow was born in Chaseburg in 1934. After graduating from Central High School in 1952, he farmed until 1956 when he began working for Robinson Transfer as a truck driver. In 1963, he joined Gateway foods, managing Meat, Dairy and Frozen Food Departments.

In 1966 he took over the Retail Operations part of the company and in 1970 became Director of Operations, being responsible for the overall operations of both La Crosse and Duluth. In 1980, he was named President and Chief Operating Officer of Gateway, as the company continued to grow and expand. During this same year, he also became responsible for Gateway Foods of Minneapolis, a newly acquired subsidiary of Gateway Foods, and was later instrumental in the development of a new concept of retail food stores.

He left Gateway Foods after 26 years of overseeing a company that went from sales of 15 million dollars a year, to 2 billion dollars a year. Don Zietlow, along with owner D. B. Reinhart, built one of the most successful wholesale grocery businesses in the country.

Although his responsibilities at Gateway Foods over the years was tremendous, Gateway was only a part of his overall involvement in the business community. He has previously held ownership-stock in Midwest Industrial Fuel, Northwest Wholesale Lumber Company, A & M Electric, and Valley View Bank. His current business interest include Prairie Farm Enterprises, the King on Fifth office building, along with a variety of real estate and construction developments throughout the area.

Zietlow is a third owner of Cedar Creek Country Club of Onalaska, an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse which opened in the spring of 1990. It is rated as one of the Top Five golf courses in the State of Wisconsin. He also owns and operates Truss Specialists, Inc., a manufacturing company for roof and floor trusses that are sold throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

At the present time, Don’s days are devoted mostly to a company that everyone is familiar with, Kwik Trip, Inc. Kwik Trip began with one store back in 1965, and today has a total of 240 stores and 2600 employees. Partner John Hansen is President, and Zietlow is Chairman of the Board.

Throughout his years of involvement in the management and operation of a multitude of companies and business ventures, Zietlow has still found time over the years to be an active participant in many community organizations and activities. They have included: First Evangelical Lutheran Church Council, Chamber of Commerce Board, La Crosse Country Club Board, La Crosse Development Board, Lutheran Hospital Board, Lutheran Hospital Holding Co., Corporate Director of United Way, Co-Chairman of the Gundersen Medical Foundation Capital Campaign “Share the Vision”, and he is currently serving on the Gundersen Medical Foundation Board of Trustees.

Don and his wife, La Vanne, have three married children: Vicky (Zietlow) & Dan Kunz, Scott & Jill (Swanson) Zietlow, and Steve and Amy (Ames) Zietlow, and they have eight grandchildren. Don’s an avid golfer and they both enjoy bowling and cross country skiing.