Obit: Zech, Clifford A. (1919 - 2004)
Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Zech, Salter, Bauman, Nesvacil, Wolfe, Kent, Tessmer, Anderson, Blodgett, Hunt, Gunn, Allcroft, Bollard, Salter, Boyer, Blank

----Source: Leader Telegram (Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Wis.) 5 Feb. 2004

Zech, Clifford A. (11 June 1919 - 1 Feb. 2004)

Clifford A. Zech, 84, of 5324 178th St., Chippewa Falls, town of Lafayette, died Sunday, February 1, 2004, at his home with his family and hospice.

He was born June 11, 1919, in Chippewa Falls to Mabel (Blank) and Frederick Zech. He grew up in Chippewa Falls until the age of 10, when he moved to the town of Lafayette with his family. He graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High School in 1938. He entered the U.S. Army Air Force in 1941, and served in the 8th Air Force during WWII, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He was stationed in Manchester, England, where he met and married Ellen F. Salter on June 11, 1945. They returned to the United States in 1946.

Clifford retired in 1988, from W. S. Darley Company after working there for 23 years. He had been very active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, being one of the first Cub Scouts in Wisconsin at age 11. He was awarded the White Pine District Award of Merit for 50 years of service. He was one of the original organizers of the Lafayette Parks and Recreation (Little League). He was a fisherman, hunter, sports fan, card player, and was a superior family man.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen; and nine children, Gwen Bauman of Chippewa Falls, Frank (Linda) Zech of Spencer, Iowa, Ellen (Richard) Nesvacil of Cadott, Fred Zech of Hawkins, Barbara Wolfe of Poynette, Ronald (Eva) Zech of Merrifield, Minn., Randal Zech of Evanston, Wyo., Dennis (Lisa Kent) of Chippewa Falls and Douglas (Lyuba) Zech of Roseville, Minn. His surviving grandchildren are Cathleen (Tom) Tessmer, Kyle (Amy) Bauman, Patrick and Charles Zech, Greg and David Nesvacil, Nicola and Heather Wolfe, Luke and Cody Zech, Adrian Zech, Drew and Laken Zech and Tatiana Zech. His great-grandchildren are Ashley Tessmer, Brooke Bauman, Mackenzie Zech and Zoey Zech. He is further survived by two brothers, Carl and Donald Zech; five sisters, Betty Anderson, Carol Blodgett, Barbara Hunt, Winnie Zech and Alma Gunn; two sisters-in-law, Josephine Allcroft, Vicky Bollard; and a brother-in-law, Bert Salter, all of Great Britain. He has many nieces and nephews, and will be missed by his friends at Charlie’s, his hunting buddies in Hawkins, and his many other friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert and Henry Zech; and one sister, Margaret Zech.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2004, at First Presbyterian Church, Chippewa Falls, with the Rev. Dr. Barry Boyer officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls, and one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.