Louis J. Zieske

Louis Joseph Zieske, born 05-16-1938, passed away peacefully at Guardian Angels Nursing Home in Hibbing on 11-24-2025. Louis was born in Melrose, Minnesota. 

One of four children. He grew up with his brother and two sisters in a very small home without running water or electricity on the Ash River Trail in Northern Minnesota. 

After leaving home, Louis worked at the Boise Cascade paper mill and logged alongside his father. He later started his own logging company in Ray, Minnesota, and also worked for Forest Abrahamson Construction as a heavy equipment operator. 

Louis eventually moved to the Twin Cities, where he continued working as a heavy equipment operator for Carl Bolander & Sons. He retired from the Local 49ers Union at age 62. 

Louie enjoyed a life full of hard work and simple joys. He loved gardening, growing fruit trees, hunting, fishing, trapping, dancing, and keeping himself busy with any project he could find. He later moved to Swan Lake in Pengilly, Minnesota, where he continued to garden and treasured many peaceful evenings fishing from his dock. He was blessed with exceptional neighbors who always looked out for him. Louie hunted deer—mostly legally—until age 85. 

He immensely loved his four grandchildren and held deep affection for his many nieces and nephews. One nephew in particular shared a close bond with him and expressed a final sentiment that Louie would have cherished: “I can’t wait to carry your gun again someday, Uncle Louis.” 

Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Howard Zieske; sister Wilma (Don) Davis; brother Fred (Arlene) Zieske; sister Ilene Zieske; son-in-law Jerald Gibson; and son Louie Zieske. 

He is survived by his children Louanne Gibson, Lee Zieske (Kelly), Debbie Zieske (Rob Illikainen), and Darrell Zieske; and by his grandchildren Taylor Pratt, Jordan Zieske, Maggie Zieske, and Justice Zieske.

Family will have a private celebration in Louis' honor.