Eugene C. Zienty

Eugene C. Zienty, 99, of Waupaca, died Saturday, Feb 5, 2022, at his home on Birchwood Lake. He was born August 28, 1922, in Chicago, son of the late Michael and Carrie (Gielniak) Zienty. He married the late Evelyn (Florczak) Zienty on August 31, 1946, in Chicago.

Eugene grew up on the south side of Chicago, the middle of 3 brothers. He was an Army Engineer during WWII, building bridges in the European theater before ending up in the Pacific at wars end. After the war he started at the historic Pullman-Standard factory but eventually became a tile layer and joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (local 272), working all over downtown Chicago and surrounding area on famous buildings like the Merchandise Mart, McCormick Place, WGN Radio Studios (same day Raquel Welch had an interview), and Prudential Building, which was the tallest in Chicago at the time. Whether downtown or working on your local grocery chain store, every job was done right, no matter what.

Upon retirement in the mid 80's, Eugene and Evelyn moved to Waupaca, an area the family had been coming to for decades. Here Eugene was an active member of V.F.W. Post 1037 and spent many hours volunteering. He'd help park cars at the Iola Car show, ride floats in parades, and even go around to schools to share his military experience. He, and Evelyn, enjoyed many years of ice fishing on Dake Lake from their little blue shack. Golfing and bowling, as well as just mowing the lawn was a peaceful pastime activity. But up until a few years ago the garden was the pride and joy of his home, full of vegetables and flowers. His famous Zinnia "fence" around the garden caught the eyes of many a passerby. Ask about them, and you got a bottle full of seeds from last year's harvest. Any visitor to his home could count on his wonderful hospitality and generosity. He was always ready to help a friend or family member, and happy to have a conversation till the light faded. There are many who have personal memories of him to keep. He loved his community, his friends, and his family and always said without them, he had no life. He was greatly loved and while 99 seems like a long time, many would enjoy another 100 years with Eugene Zienty.

Survivors include Jennifer Zienty (daughter-in-law), Washburn, three grandchildren, Peter Zienty, Washburn, Jessica (Ben) Henderson, Dubuque IA, Anna Zienty (Dan Luebke), Hayward, and 4 great grandchildren, Eleanor, Isla, Lilly, and Oliver; plus a sister-in-law, Freda Michalak, Crown Point, IN; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Sylvester and Henry, his wife Evelyn and son Larry.

The funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 14, 2022 at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Military honors will follow the service and burial will take place at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King.

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