John (Jack) L. Zahn, 83, of Appleton passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2013 at home in the presence of his family supported by Affinity Visiting Nurses Hospice. Jack was born March 21, 1930 in Manitowoc to the late William and Leona (Burkart) Zahn. He graduated from Lincoln High School, Manitowoc, in 1948 and from…
Continue ReadingJohn (Jack) L. Zahn, 83, of Appleton passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2013 at home in the presence of his family supported by Affinity Visiting Nurses Hospice. Jack was born March 21, 1930 in Manitowoc to the late William and Leona (Burkart) Zahn. He graduated from Lincoln High School, Manitowoc, in 1948 and from U.W. Milwaukee in 1952 with a degree in Upper Elementary Education. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict from 1952 until 1954. Jack was married to Sharon J. Dietz on May 1, 1954 in Appleton. He taught in Shorewood, Wisconsin before returning to Appleton to join a family business.
Jack and Sharon raised six children during their married life together in Appleton. Together, they worked tirelessly to provide educational and experiential opportunities for their children at every turn of life. Jack had many passions and strongly espoused the land ethic of Aldo Leopold. Jack put his love of land and trees and water to work as a steward of several parcels of land in Wisconsin which he and Sharon owned. Jack's belief in the power of education to enhance the lives of youth guided much of his community and religious service. He contributed countless hours to the scholarship programs of Rotary International. He was a founding member of St. Pius X Catholic Church of Appleton and helped establish the first religious education classes at the Parish.
Survivors include his wife Sharon of Appleton; children Richard (Rosan), Stevens Point; Robert (Susan), Appleton; Lori (Jerry) Deering, Appleton; Gregory, Washington D.C.; James, Minneapolis, MN; and David, Washington D.C.; grandchildren Heather (Cory) Rosene, Molly (Peter Grund) Zahn, Theresa (Marc) Kueckmann; Sarah (Nathan) Seegert; Michael Zahn; Geoffrey Zahn, Eric Deering, Jack Zahn and Peter Zahn and six great grandchildren. Jack was preceded in death by his brothers William and Lyell.
A mass of resurrection will take place at 11:00 AM, Thursday, July 11, 2013 at St. Pius X Church, 500 West Marquette Street in Appleton. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Online condolences may be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com
In lieu of flowers, plant a tree on your property, contribute to St. Pius X Church or give a tribute in memory of Jack Zahn to an educational or environmental charity of your choice.
Allan Jirikovec
left a message on July 15, 2013:
It is with great fondness that I remember Jack as a classmate at Lincoln High in Manitowoc. . .class of '48. on July 21, we celebrate 65 years since graduation, and he surely will be missed and remembered as "one of the best!"
Allan Jirikovec, Wausau
Larry Schmitz
left a message on July 12, 2013:
Dear Sharon and family--
We were so sorry to read of Jack's passing. Sorry we could not get to the funeral itself to express our sympathies. Jack was a wonderful guy. I will always cherish the times we spent together, touring the Automotive Supply locations when Schenck helped him computerize the stores and the fun times we had golfing with you two.
May God console you all in your time of grieving. Always remember what a loving, kind man he was and know that he is at peace now in a far better place.
God bless you all,
Larry (and Nancy) Schmitz
PS--Ironically, I planted two trees last week in our yard. I will now think of them as "Jack's trees"
Ted Heegeman
left a message on July 11, 2013:
Lori, Jerry & Eric,
My prayers are with you during this time, thanks to you three I had the pleasure of meeting Jack during some of Eric's baseball seasons... he seemed like a great man, and father and grandfather.
God Bless you all,
Ted and Cindy Heegeman
Donna Rickel
left a message on July 10, 2013:
I was so sorry to read of Jack's death. Strange, but I was thinking of Jack and Sharon earlier this week when trimming back the daisies in the yard. I got the start of daisies from Jack and Sharon many years ago. At first they almost died out, but suddenly they took off and spread. I'm hoping to have them take over a field near the house someday. I think of the Zahns every spring when the daisies bloom. My prayers will be with you all. He was a good and loving person. Hugs, Donna Rickel
Sue ( Van Den Elsen) Wurzer
left a message on July 9, 2013:
My father ( Jim Van Den Elsen ) worked at Automotive Supply for over 40 years. He always spoke very highly of Jack & said he was wonderful to work for. Your family is in our thoughts & prayers
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Allan Jirikovec
left a message on July 15, 2013:
It is with great fondness that I remember Jack as a classmate at Lincoln High in Manitowoc. . .class of '48. on July 21, we celebrate 65 years since graduation, and he surely will be missed and remembered as "one of the best!"
Allan Jirikovec, Wausau
Larry Schmitz
left a message on July 12, 2013:
Dear Sharon and family--
We were so sorry to read of Jack's passing. Sorry we could not get to the funeral itself to express our sympathies. Jack was a wonderful guy. I will always cherish the times we spent together, touring the Automotive Supply locations when Schenck helped him computerize the stores and the fun times we had golfing with you two.
May God console you all in your time of grieving. Always remember what a loving, kind man he was and know that he is at peace now in a far better place.
God bless you all,
Larry (and Nancy) Schmitz
PS--Ironically, I planted two trees last week in our yard. I will now think of them as "Jack's trees"
Ted Heegeman
left a message on July 11, 2013:
Lori, Jerry & Eric,
My prayers are with you during this time, thanks to you three I had the pleasure of meeting Jack during some of Eric's baseball seasons... he seemed like a great man, and father and grandfather.
God Bless you all,
Ted and Cindy Heegeman
Donna Rickel
left a message on July 10, 2013:
I was so sorry to read of Jack's death. Strange, but I was thinking of Jack and Sharon earlier this week when trimming back the daisies in the yard. I got the start of daisies from Jack and Sharon many years ago. At first they almost died out, but suddenly they took off and spread. I'm hoping to have them take over a field near the house someday. I think of the Zahns every spring when the daisies bloom. My prayers will be with you all. He was a good and loving person. Hugs, Donna Rickel
Sue ( Van Den Elsen) Wurzer
left a message on July 9, 2013:
My father ( Jim Van Den Elsen ) worked at Automotive Supply for over 40 years. He always spoke very highly of Jack & said he was wonderful to work for. Your family is in our thoughts & prayers
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
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