Eugene "Gene" Duane Zenk Sr.

March 14, 1933 — February 28, 2017

Eugene "Gene" Duane Zenk Sr. Profile Photo
Eugene “Gene” Duane Zenk Sr. was born on March 14, 1933, in Lane, South Dakota, the last of seven children born to his mother Anna Elisa (Buethner) and his father Pastor Arnold F. Zenk. Growing up in a pastor’s family Gene lived in many different towns in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. In his youth and as a young man he would always find ways to earn extra money, from trapping to umpiring baseball, pitching fast pitch softball which he did for several small Northwest Iowa towns, including the Old Home Bread team in Sioux City, Iowa. He graduated from the LeMars High School in 1950. After graduation, he was the grain buyer at the Harms Elevator in Brunsville, Iowa in 1951 and 1952.Gene reported for duty with the United States Air Force in Omaha, Nebraska on February 29, 1952 and served in the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge from England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana on January 13, 1956. Prior to being discharged, he was married to Shirley Ann Hess on May 22, 1955 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. After discharge Gene and Shirley resided in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, LeMars, Iowa and Sioux City, Iowa. Gene was proud of his service, serving as a crew chief with the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing. He served with well known pilots such as John Glenn, Buzz Aldrin, and Claire P. Chennault. Gene looked forward each year to their annual 51st FIW Korean War reunion. He and Shirley hosted the 2003 and 2015 reunions in Omaha, Nebraska in which the 2003 was the 50th anniversary of the Korean War Veterans.In 1965 Gene, Shirley and their two children, Duane and Rob, moved to Denison, Iowa and Gene began working as an insurance agent with the Lodwick Insurance Agency. In 1967 Gene and Shirley started the Gene Zenk Insurance Agency, and in 1972 Gene Zenk Insurance Agency purchased the current building at 1417 Broadway and expanded to include real estate sales and new home construction. In the construction business Gene was instrumental in the development of over 100 new homes in the Jeschke, City View and Park West Additions to Denison. In 1998 Gene retired and sold the insurance agency but continued working on real estate appraisals. At the time of his death, he was still working with his son Rob in the real estate appraisal business.In addition to working, Gene enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, home improvement projects, wood working and spending time with his grandsons.Gene passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, reaching the age of 83 years, 11 months and 14 days. He leaves behind his wife, Shirley, of nearly 62 years, son, Duane and wife Kristy, and son, Rob, all of Denison, Iowa; 4 grandchildren: Gene, Tim, Avery, and Adyn; sister Dorothy and husband Bernie DeBoer of LeMars, Iowa; sisters-in-law Mildred Zenk of Sheldon, Iowa and Lenyce Zenk of Idaho Falls, Idaho; many other relatives and friends.Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Elma and Frank Jewett and brothers, William (Bill), Arnold, Robert, and Francis Zenk.Memorial services were held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 5, 2017 at Pfannebecker Funeral Home, Denison, Iowa with Rev. Ken Fells officiating. Recorded selections of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Air Force Song” were played for the service. Honorary Pallbearers were Gene Zenk III, Tim Zenk, Avery Zenk, Adyn Zenk, Al Claycraft, Cleo Morales, Greg Miller and Blake Deiber. Military Honors were provided by the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa with Taps played by Father Paul Kelly. Inurnment will be held at a later date. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa was in charge of arrangements where a visitation was held from 1:00 p.m. until time of service on Sunday, March 5, 2017.

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