John R. Zank

John Zank Obituary

JOHN R. ZANK JUN 21, 1933 - NOV 11, 2010 John R. Zank, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend past away Nov. 11, 2010 with his family at his side at Memorial Hospital in Modesto due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. John was born in Grand Forks, ND on June 21, 1933 to Ferdinand and Esther Zank. When John was a child the family moved to Moorhead, MN where he graduated from high school in 1951. While attending Moorhead High School John met the love of his life, Dorothy Taylor. John and Dorothy were married in 1952 and were happily married for 58 years. Early in his life John was in law enforcement working for the Fargo, ND police department for 9 years. In 1963 , pulling a trailer with a 1957 Studebaker station wagon, three children and one on the way, John and Dorothy moved their family to California where John workedfor a time with the Sonoma County Sheriffs Department. In 1972 the family moved to Modesto where John changed careers and worked in the auto parts business until his retirement in 1989. Upon retirement John and Dorothy moved to Pine Mountain lake in Groveland, CA to enjoy the blue skies and clean mountain air. While living in Pine Mountain Lake, John was known throughout the community for the exceptional craftsmanship of the cutting boards that he would make and sell at numerous craft fairs in the area. After 18 wonderful years in Pine Mountain lake, John and Dorothy moved back to Modesto to be closer to family and medical care. John was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Lois Staugaberg and Carol Bailey. John is survived by his loving wife Dorothy, three sons, John and wife Blanca of Modesto, Brad and Stuart both of Yuba City, and daughter Pam Vershaw and her husband Gaylord also of Yuba City; four grandchildren, Jennifer and Julia Zank of Modesto, Taylor Zank and Adelle Vershaw of Yuba City, two great grandchildren, Caleb Zank and Chloe Metcalf of Modesto and one brother, James Zank of Moorhead, MN. Services Will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 17th, 2010 at 1:00 pm at Calvary Lutheran Church, 547 Rose Ave., Modesto, CA 95355 with interment following the service at Acacia Memorial Park, 801 Scenic Dr., Modesto, CA 95350. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, Nov. 16, 2010, from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home, 1050, McHenry Ave., Modesto, CA 95350. In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial donation to: Alzheimer's Association of Northern California, 1060 La Avenida St, Montain View, CA 94043 www.modbee.com/obituaries

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Published by Modesto Bee from Nov. 14 to Nov. 15, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for John Zank

11 Entries

Shelly DesGeorges

November 19, 2010

Dorothy, Brad, and Stuart,
I was sorry to hear about John passing. We will miss him Death is never easy, and it doesn't get easier. Our deepest sympothy to you all. Dorothy just hang in there you have alot of great memories that will keep your life going The days will be long and empty but all the memories of him and his smiley face will give you away to get you through. And with the boys around will fill your days with all kinds of surprises rather there good or bad nothing from them two is ever a surprise But always remember they only take the good ones, Keep your spirits high knowing that John wouldn't want anyone to be sad. We will see you soon, Anything that you need let us know and if we are able to help you out if we can just let us know. hang in there family and friends are always there
Love Shelly and David DesGeorges

November 19, 2010

xoxoxo

November 18, 2010

To the most important person in the world who just happens to be my dearest, oldest, friend and father. I am so greatful that you are my dad and for all the love and support you've shown me all these years dad. Anyone else would of wrote me off when I strayed down the wrong road but you never stopped loving me. I know this is true cause you told me so. Everything reminds me of you dad. either something you taught me or something you said or even something you would of said in certain conversations. Sometimes it makes me laugh and sometimes cry. I cry every day dad. I just miss you so much.You see dad I'm alot like you. I'm sensative too dad and I too am capable of truly loving another humanbeing. You'll be happy to know the family has come together to honor our father and we all seem to have become closer to one another. I know that family was the most important thing to you. Most people would of stopped at a boy and a girl but you loved children so much that you had two more. I'll never understand how you did it. Four mouths to feed, four bodys to keep warm and sheltered and it was fun. Alot of fun. I had the greatest childhood ever. my whole life seems to flash in front of me from riding on the back of your motorcycle to when we built the garage and decks at pine mt. lake. So many memories of me and my dad. God I love my dad. with every ounce of my being I love my dad. This might not sound like me dad but every morning I look at your picture and cry. Then I pray. Ya I said it dad,I pray that it's all true and that we'll be together again someday.If I knew it to be true for sure dad I'd come to you now. I know you would'nt want me to be sad but the truth is my spirit is crushed and my heart broken.Mom and the rest of the family help me somewhat but I think I'm gonna go to a grief support group. I think if I can help someone else it will ultimately help me. I'm having a real hard time will all that has happened. I just miss my dad so much. God only knows how much.I will be writing more letters and dropping them off at the cemetery. Rest assured dad untill we meet again I'll be loving you. With all my heart and soul I will. Your chip off the old block ,Brad

November 18, 2010

To the most important person in the world who happens to be my dearest,oldest,friend and father. Thank you for being my dad all those years. Even when I strayed down the wrong road I always knew that you and mom loved me unconditionaly. I knew it cause you told me so. I'm greatful for everything you taught me as well as the personality traits I inhiereted from you. Sensitivity,love, and family values are a few.You would be happy to know how the family has come together to honor our father. You are one deeply loved person who is missed more each day.I know you would'nt want me to feel the way I do but the truth is dad my spirit is crushed and my heart broken and I will never be the same without my dear old dad in my life. With every ounce of my being I love you dad, just let me count the ways. I'm having a real hard time with all this that has happened and everthing reminds me of you.I remember back when I was on the back of your motorcycle and watching you shave and then you put some shaving cream on me so I could shave too. Memories from my childhood to when you and I built the garage and decks at pine mt. lake keep running through my mind and it seems like I recall everything you've ever said to me. I miss you so much dad. How you loved family so much that you could'nt stop with just a boy and a girl you had to have more chlidren. How you provided for us the way you did I'll never know. I couldnt provide for one and you had four. And you know what dad, it was fun. alot of fun. I had the greatest childhood ever. This might not sound like me dad but every morning I look at your picture and I cry. Then I pray. Ya thats right dad I pray. I pray that it's all true and we all are together again someday. And if I knew for sure I would come to you now dad, I really would. I'm trying hard to be strong cause I know you woulnd'nt want me to be sad. I just miss you so much. I'm thinking about going to a grieve support group for help. I really dont think I can do this alone. Mom and John and the rest of your kids are there for me but I think I need to help someone else to help myself if you know what I mean. The love between a father and son are without paralell and never ever stops. Unlike the love I had for those x girlfriends of mine which stopped after a month or so. I will be writing more and dropping off letters to you at the cemetery. Rest assured dad till we meet again I'll be loving you. with all my heart and soul I will. Brad

Shane & Bill Reinhart

November 18, 2010

Bill and I both want to express our sympathies, as well as our gratitude for knowing John. I remember well having interesting conversations with him while Port City played at gigs, and what a warm sense of humor he had.
Wishing all the family comfort in the many small and big happy memories of him.
With love, Shane and Bill

Joe Skower

November 16, 2010

You will be missed, but not forgotten old friend. See you on the other side.

November 16, 2010

Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
~ The Appeal-Democrat Family

Sue Eastman

November 15, 2010

I will always remember the times at Shakey's Pizza when John would bring the boys to play banjo with Chuck. Those were the days!!

adelle vershaw

November 14, 2010

you will always be missed bompa. you were the best grandpa out there. you will never be forgottten, i love you bompa, see you soon<3

Pam Vershaw

November 14, 2010

I wish we could go back in time for just a day! I will miss you till we meet again. Love you dad! Pam

November 14, 2010

i will always think of our trips together as a family you took us on. and i will always have an Old Mil for you if you ever stop by. I know we will all be together soon but will miss you dearly until then Love you you old goat, From son #3 Love yo dad

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