Richard L. “Dick” Zenz

PORTAGE  --  Richard L. “Dick” Zenz, age 79, died on Thursday, January 2, 2014 at his home in Portage.   

Richard was born on November 4, 1934 in Lancaster, the son of Gerald and Marcella (Seipp) Zenz.  He graduated from Loras Academy, Dubuque, IA and UW-Platteville where he played football.  Richard was a teacher and coach in Mayville and Portage as well as a sportscaster for Portage high school athletics.  He was a charter member of the Portage Lion’s Club and active in the Knights of Columbus.  He loved to hunt and fish and was a prolific joke and story teller.

Richard was a dedicated husband and father, survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara (Rowe) Zenz, Portage; their seven children, Thomas Zenz, Jean (Bruce) Langer, John (Cindi) Zenz, Paul (Teresa) Zenz, Kay (Keith) Tilton, Mary (Kirk) Pruhs, and Daniel Zenz; thirteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; his brother, Stan (Joyce) Zenz; his sisters, Joan (Roger) Clements, Pat (Sandy) Campbell, and Jane (Bob) Spartz, other relatives and many close friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Donald Zenz and sister-in-law, Marcia Zenz.    

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in Portage, with Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl and Fr. Bill Seipp concelebrating.  Inurnment will be private.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Wisconsin Lion’s Camp in Rosholt, WI, the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin, or St. Mary’s Parish in Portage would be appreciated by the family.