Elmer E. Zell, age 87, of West Bend, passed away Friday March 13, 2015 at his home.
He was born on March 22, 1927 in Burnett to the late August and Linda (nee Hennig) Zell and moved with his family to West Bend in 1934. Elmer graduated from West Bend High School in the class of 1944, after which he served honorably in the United States Coast Guard. On August 2, 1947 Elmer was united in marriage to Audrey Foster in Menomonee, MI. Together they made their home and raised their family in West Bend.
From 1947 until 1967 Elmer worked as a patrol officer for the Washington County Sheriff's Department. During that time he attended U.W. Oshkosh earning a Bachelor Degree in Education. In 1967 he started working as a math teacher at West Bend High School and later at West Bend East High School until his retirement in 1987.
He was a long time member of Immanuel U.C.C. in West Bend, active on many church committees and consistory. In 2003 he became a member of Peace U.C.C. in Kewaskum. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing, deer hunting, going to casinos, and golfing in which he was a member of the hole-in-one club. Traveling to all 50 states was also accomplished. He is survived by three children, Priscilla (Tom) Schroeder of Louisville, KY, Debra (Ken) Bero Jr. of West Bend, and Steve (Julie) Zell of San Diego, CA; ten grandchildren, John Schroeder, Maggie (Scott) Soeder, Susan Schroeder, Kristine (Jim) Neuburg, Jennifer Bero, Stephanie (Darrick) Sekeres, Ken Bero III, Erica Zell, Jordan Zell, and Shayne Zell; seven great-grandchildren, Savanah, Tannon & Olivia Soeder, James & Anna Neuburg, Brycen & Madison Sekeres; a sister, Sally Zell of Oshkosh; two sisters-in-law, Joan Reindl of Mason City, IA, and Germaine Foster of Whitewater; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey in 2014; three brothers, August Zell and his wife Gertrude, Stanley Zell, and Eugene Zell; a sister-in-law, Naomi Vastola and her husband Frank; three brothers-in-law, Rex Foster, Roger Foster and his wife Natalie, Robert Foster and his wife Mae.
Funeral services in remembrance of Elmer will be held on Wednesday March 18th at 11:00 am at Peace United Church of Christ (343 First Street) Kewaskum. Rev. Eric Kirkegaard will officiate. Visitation will be at the church Wednesday from 9:30 am until the time of service. Burial of his cremated remains will be in Washington County Memorial Park.
Memorials to Peace U.C.C., or Peace U.C.C. College Scholarship Fund, are appreciated by the family.