Frank A. Zuern

Frank A Zuern, age 90 of Oshkosh, passed away on Monday, August 21, 2017 at Lake Pointe Villa with family by his side. He was born on July 1, 1927 in Pembine, WI the son of the late Arthur and Clara (Wenk) Zuern. Frank grew up on the farm and spent his boyhood exploring their woods and fields, where he developed his deep love of nature. Frank attended a one-room schoolhouse, and from there he went on to Pembine High School graduating as Valedictorian Class of 1945. At 17, he enlisted and proudly served our country in the Coast Guard where he had a chance to see the world. Frank later went to school on the GI Bill and received both his undergraduate and Master’s Degree from UW-Madison for education. He taught school in Dunbar, Lake Geneva, Madison and then moved to Oshkosh where he continued with the career he loved, teaching children. He was a teacher and principal at Oaklawn, Winnebago, Smith, Green Meadow and Washington Elementary schools for 38 years. He also served as the Director of Outdoor Education for Oshkosh Public Schools and was very proud of his involvement in the acquisition of Sullivan’s Woods Nature Area.

Frank had many interests, most of which revolved around nature and the environment. He designed The Tree Branch Bluebird House and maintained bluebird houses and trails throughout the state. He was very proud of his help with the resurgence of the bluebirds here in the state. Some organizations he was involved in and favorite hobbies include: Audubon Society, Winnebago County Conservation Club, Sons of Norway, volunteer guide for hundreds of field trips to Sullivan’s Woods, a skilled wood carver of all types of birds. He was a passionate crusader for all of God’s creatures and creations. Frank was a member of First English Lutheran Church for 62 years and loved to sing in the church choir, often inventing his own tune. He had a love of music and even learned how to play the violin when he was 80 years old!

Frank was united in marriage to Jane Bach at Porterfield Lutheran Church on August 26, 1950 and was very proud to say he had been married for 67 years! He was a loving husband and devoted father. He relished his role as grandpa and spent the last 33 years telling stories and sharing his love for the environment with all of them. He was a poet, an artist and prolific writer, and just finished publishing his first book, in May, about his adventures growing up as a farmboy in the North Woods. He was compassionate and caring and never afraid to take on a challenge.
Frank is survived by his beloved wife, Jane, three daughters: Julie (John) Kita, Connie (Steve) Seidl, Laurie (Dean) Jenson; seven grandchildren: Kevin, Alex and Kyle Kita, Benjamin and Elizabeth Seidl, Trevor and Audra Jenson; further survived by two brothers-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Harry (Harriet) Zuern.

Funeral Services will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, August 25, 2017 at First English Lutheran Church, 1013 Minnesota Street, with Pastor Tim Greenwald Officiating. Visitation for friends and family will be at the church from 9:30 am until the time of service. Interment will take place at Ellenwood Cemetery, Oshkosh.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Pembine High School Scholarship Foundation or Winnebago County Audubon Society would meet Frank’s approval.

The Family would like to thank all of the wonderful care he received during the past three years from his doctors, caregivers and friends who were compassionate and always went the extra mile. A special thank you to Jenny who brought the world to him as he began to show his age.