Francis “Ike” H. Zeitler, age 82, of Shawano, passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 in Shawano. Francis was born in Milwaukee on June 27, 1934 to the late Edward and Margaret (Hubbard) Zeitler. After high school Ike enlisted in the United States Army and served his country honorably during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from the service he worked as a welder in Milwaukee where he met his future wife. On June 13, 1959 Ike was united in marriage to Carol Redjinski in Suring. The couple lived in Milwaukee until returning to the Shawano area where Ike owned and operated several businesses over the years. He worked as a cattle dealer before starting his landscape and construction company. It was during his time in landscape and construction that he built the perfect party place called “The Pond”. Ike also worked as a realtor in the area, first for Country Aire Realty and eventually for Warren Nett Realty. His final business endeavor was as owner and operator of the Cecil Laundromat. It wasn’t until retirement that he found his favorite job as a Coach Bus driver, where he became a paid tourist. Throughout retirement he and Carol spent 20 winters in Fort Myers, Florida and he thoroughly enjoyed taking the Veteran’s Honor Flight to Washington D.C. this past summer. Ike was a good man who loved his family, polkas, parties, and a good joke.
Ike is survived by his wife, Carol; three children, Mark Zeitler of Shawano, Craig (Chu Hui) Zeitler of KY, and Jeni (Chris) Luebeck of Suring; eight grandchildren, Alexis Zeitler, Eddie Zeitler, Sarah Zeitler, Mary Zeitler, Zeke Heling, Meghan Heling, Molly Rohloff, and Hunter Luebeck; two great-granddaughters, Madeline and Kenleigh; and one sister, Carol (Arch) Krueger of Shawano.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, John and Bill; two sisters, Mary Heller and Edna Peterman; three brothers-in-law, Augie Heller, Harvey Peterman and Chuck Redjinski; and two sisters-in-law, Phyllis Zeitler and Audrey Zeitler.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday January 6, 2017 at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano. Military honors will be conducted by the Shawano American Legion Post #117 following the service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 9:30 am until the time of the service. A memorial fund has been established and may be directed to Heartland Hospice in Ike’s name.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses at Birch Hill and Heartland Hospice, especially Tina and Bill for the exceptional care given to Ike.