Violet V. Zielke

Violet Vivian Zielke, 98, died in Oshkosh on April 10, 2018. She was born on September 20, 1919, in Rhinelander, WI to William and Gertrude (Baker) Zielke.

Violet grew up in Oshkosh, attending Oshkosh public schools. She was a graduate of Oshkosh High School and of the then Oshkosh State Teachers College from which she received a BS degree in education. She pursued a career as a high school teacher of English and Latin, and then furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin Madison, where she attained a Masters Degree in Classics. She also did summer study at the University of Colorado.

She loved to learn and she loved to teach. She received a Fulbright grant to spend a year of study in Italy. Based in Rome, she spent time in the cities of Naples, Florence, and in the major Italian cities as well as in Sicily and Greece.

Violet was a faithful member of Martin Luther Church where she taught Sunday school in her earlier years and belonged to other church organizations. She especially enjoyed the church bible study in her retirement and was an active participant in discussions there. Her faith was strong; she attended church services as long as she was able.

Violet had a life-long interest for words- their pronunciation, meaning, connotation, use and influence. She liked to do word puzzles and word games. She enjoyed watching high school sports on TV and followed the Packer and Badger games faithfully.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Evelyn Lehner; and two brothers-in-law, William Behm and Peter Crane.

Survivors include her brother, Clyde (Rose Mary) Zielke; sisters, Myra Behm and Ethel Crane, as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral service for Violet will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Martin Luther Church, 1526 Algoma Blvd, with Rev. Jeffrey Berg and Rev. Nathan Ericson officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00am until the time of the service. Burial will be at Lake View Memorial Park.

Memorial gifts may be made to Martin Luther Church and School.

“Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”