Michael Zarter

Michael James Zarter Sr., 72, went home to Jesus on Monday March 4, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, Wisconsin, following a brief illness.

He was born March 10, 1951, at St. Elizabeth Hospital to Leo Edward Zarter and Charlotte (Mayer) Zarter.

Mike grew up in Kimberly, WI, going to Holy Name grade school and Kimberly High School. Those years brought many great stories, showing a positive sense of humor that we all enjoyed.

Even as a youngster, he knew the value of hard work. At 9 years old, before he left for school, he had his own paper route. During his teen years he caddied at Northshore Golf Course. He liked to tell of the time Vince Lombardi picked him up while hitchhiking to work.

From a very young age he was fascinated with anything mechanical and loved taking apart clocks. By 15 years old he surprised his brothers by taking apart a car engine and putting it back together. By then, he was working at Gustman’s in Kaukauna, WI and at 19 had a 1970 Z28 Camero. He loved mechanical work and always worked on his own cars, as well as for family and friends.

After Gustman’s, Mike went to work at Automotive Supply Company in Appleton, WI. He worked there for 50 years as an auto paint specialist, becoming an expert in his craft. He genuinely liked his work, the automotive family he worked with and the many customers who became friends.

Mike was an avid Trapshooter for many years, winning the Gateway Grand 1997 HDCP Championship. It was a thrill for sure, but his favorite times were spending a Sunday afternoon with his good friends at one of the local gun clubs. He reloaded his own shells and had a workshop where he did his own barrel porting and gunsmithing.

In his “semi-retirement”, when you heard country music coming from his workshop, you knew he was busy working on one of his many projects or thinking up a new one!

PUUULLLLL

Mike is survived by his wife of 34 years, Cindy, son Michael (Janis) Zarter Jr., grandson Sean of Colorado Springs, CO; Daughter Maggie (Jake) Drakenberg, grandsons Sheldon and Marshal of Shawano, WI; Stepson Rob (Melissa) Hammond, step-grandson Braeden of Fremont, WI; step-granddaughter Aleisha (Sam) Minah, Joseph, Skye, and Wyatt or Waupaca, WI; step-grandson Austin (Amber) Hammond of Menasha, WI; brother Bob Zarter of Wrightstown, WI; and special friend Nancy Charlebois of Summerfield, FL; Sister-in-law Marjie Zarter of Woodruff, WI; brother-in-law Mick Roemer of Plymouth, MI; brother-in-law Jim (Theresa) Wilson of Redgranite, WI, three nieces, four nephews, and fourteen great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles Zarter, sister Mary (Zarter) Roemer, and nephew David Zarter.

We are very grateful to Dr. Nicholas Freeman and the awesome nurses at St. Elizabeth’s ICU. Their skills and kindness will always be remembered.

We will be announcing a “Celebration of Life” for Mike in June. He will be greatly missed.