Obit: Zenner, Sylvan J. (1911 - 2003)

Surnames: Zenner, Geissler, Munkres, Koehler, Porter, Oceloti-Montes, Kessler, Hildebrandt, Montes, Steczynski, Bresina, Baier, Eder

Leader Telegram (Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Wis.) 4 Nov. 2003

Zenner, Sylvan J. (11 June 1911 - 1 Nov. 2003)

Sylvan J. Zenner, 92, of Spencer, Wis., and former lifetime resident of Tilden, died Saturday, November 1, 2003, at the Hetzel Care Center, Bloomer.

He was born June 11, 1911, in the town of Tilden, on the Zenner family farm, the son of Anton “Tony” and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Geissler) Zenner. He attended Fairview School for five years and transferred to St. Peter’s School in order to be confirmed during 7th grade. Following this he worked on the family farm that he then took over in 1946, and farmed until 1965. He then worked in the finishing department of Chippewa Shoe until his retirement in 1978. He married Eleanor Stoffel on January 31, 1934, at St. Peter’s Church, Tilden. He cared for her for many years and moved to Spencer in 1995, where his son John lived. He recently transferred to Hetzel Care Center due to declining health.

He was a member of St. Peter’s Church.

He is survived by two sons, James (Joan) of Bloomer and John M. (Shirley) of Spencer; one daughter, Ann (Kenneth) Munkres of Madison; one brother, Alan (Eunice) Zenner of Chippewa Falls; one sister, Bernadette “Bunny” (Howard) Koehler of Bloomer; eight grandchildren, Andrew (Deanna) Porter, Erin (Felipe) Ocelotl Montes, Laurie (Cliff) Kessler, Elizabeth Zenner, Steven Zenner, Kelly (Cary) Hildebrandt, Eric (Vicki) Zenner and John A. (Diana) Zenner; 11 great-grandchildren, Jenny and Andy Porter, Megan Kessler, Fernando and Isabel Montes, Tyler Steczynski, Paige and Austin Hildebrandt, Ashley and Aaron Zenner and Nora Zenner; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; one daughter, Joan Marie Zenner; his parents; three brothers, Clarence, Earl and Cyril Zenner; three sisters, Irene Bresina, Mabel Baier and Antoinette “Toni” Eder; and one great-granddaughter, Olivia Ocelotl Montes.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2003, at St. Peter’s Church, Tilden. Interment will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Tilden.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 4, at the Horan Funeral Home, Chippewa Falls where there will be a 7 p.m. Christian vigil service.