Robert Harley Zieper

Our dear family patriarch, Robert Harley Zieper, passed away peacefully October 5th at the age of 98 years. Bob (Papa Zeep) will be sorely missed by his seven children, their spouses, 20 grandchildren, and more than 20 great-grandkids, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Bertha, his sister Ellen, and his wife Mary.
Bob was born and raised in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He studied commercial art and design at Layton Arts School in Milwaukee. In 1951 he married Mary Angela Sturm, to whom he was devoted for more than 60 years until she succumbed to complications after surgery in 2015. Bob served in the U.S. Army, 1951-53, earning honors and medals for active duty in Korea.
In 1953 Bob moved to Minneapolis to work as a layout artist at an advertising agency. His talent was well known throughout the Twin Cities as he became a partner at the Studio One boutique agency, serving clients including General Mills, Northwest (Delta) Airlines and 3M Company.
Bob and Mary raised their seven children in Edina during the 1960s and 70s. They are: JoEllen (Mick) Gohr, Lynn (Michael) Howard, Jeanne (Simon) Root, MaryLee (John) Cornwell, Rob F. Zieper (Wendy), Jim Zieper (Kelly), and Todd Zieper (Traci).
In retirement Bob and Mary spent much of their time at their cabin on Bear Trap (Wapogasset) Lake in Amery, Wisconsin. In winter, they spent several weeks each year relaxing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Palm Desert, California. Bob enjoyed fishing for walleyes and playing cribbage. Bob also was an avid book reader. We especially will miss Papa's sharp wit, his subtle sense of humor, his calm, quiet demeanor, and his profound wisdom -- all of which he retained until his final hours.
A memorial service will be held at Pax Christi in Eden Prairie on Wednesday, November 12, 10 a.m. Visitation, 11 a.m. Prayer Service, noon Reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Second Harvest Heartland or Unbound.