Robert Edgar Zenker

1935 - 2016

Robert E. Zenker, 81, of La Crosse, passed away on Friday, December 9, 2016, at the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.
He was born June 22, 1935, in La Crosse, the son of Edgar and Irma (Bishofsky) Zenker, and was a 1953 graduate of La Crosse Central High School. On June 22, 1996, Bob was united in marriage to Suzanne (Hartl) Hilleshiem.
In 1956, Bob joined the U.S. Navy for three years, spending two years in Sasebo, Japan. After his discharge, he attended Brown Institute in Minneapolis and became a radio announcer at various stations in South Dakota and Wisconsin for nine years. In 1968, he began selling office supplies, machines and furniture for Swartz Office Supply, Ruppert's Office Interiors and Emmons-Napp, all in La Crosse before retiring in 1996.
Bob enjoyed swimming and was a big Packer, Badger and Brewers fan and looked forward each winter, along with his wife Suzy, to their three months of "snow birding" in Palm Springs, Cal. He was a member of North Presbyterian Church in La Crosse.
Bob is survived by "the best thing that ever happened to him" – his wife, Suzy; daughters, Heidi (Pat) Korger and Holly Zenker, both of whom he raised as a single parent but, for some time now, both have chosen not to be a part of his family; grandsons, Nathan (Amy) Korger and Benjamin Korger; sister, Marian Meinert; nephew, James Meinert; by two wonderful step-children and their spouses, Cynthia (Rick) Withrow and Jim (Tracy) Potter; Rick's brother, David (Vicki) Withrow; and my wonderful grandchildren, Grant (Camie) Withrow, Annie (Andy) Pierce, Christie (Mark) Peters, Corey (Brittany Erler), Kiara Potter, and Ryan Withrow. Bob is also survived by great grandsons, Ian Schoenfeld, Easton and Eli Korger; and great granddaughters, Eliana and Gianna Withrow, and Avery Potter. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William "Bill"; and a brother-in-law, Donald "Chick" Meinert.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 11:00 AM at North Presbyterian Church. Pastor Scott Skogen will officiate. A private burial will be held at a later date. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Memorials may be given to the Gundersen Medical Foundation Heart Institute and North Presbyterian Church. The Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse are in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.
Although Bob wrote the above obituary entirely by himself, as his wife I'd like to add that I was privileged and blessed to be married to him for over 20 years. My entire family joins me in saying that we deeply loved him and will greatly miss him. Suzy.