Fitchburg – Raymond F. Zier age 86, loving husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather (Opa), passed away Tuesday evening November 22, 2016 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg WI. Raymond was born October 3, 1930 in Marengo WI, the son of William and Helen (Nass) Zier. He attended grade school in Marengo and High School in Ashland WI. On October 3rd, 2016 Ray celebrated his 86th Birthday.

In 1947 the family moved to Oshkosh WI after a flood took their house. Ray lived in Oshkosh and worked at various jobs until he went to work for Marquart Millwork Company in Oshkosh.

On December 27th 1950 he entered the US Navy and was stationed on the USS Warrington (DD-843) and the USS Oglethorpe (AKA-100) and traveled to various countries during the Korean War, but was not involved in the fighting.

He was discharged from the US Navy on October 27th 1954 and went to work again for Marquart Millwork in Oshkosh WI. He went to Iron Mountain MI and opened a branch of Marquart Millwork and operated it for several years. He then came to Madison WI and opened another branch warehouse for the company and ran it on Fish Hatchery Road and until it moved to the north side of Madison where it closed. He then went to work for the Brunsell Lumber Company in Madison and worked there until he retired.

On July 9th 1966 he was married at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison to Charlene Ruth Johnson. They built a house in Fitchburg and raised three children. On July 9, 2016 they celebrated their 50th Anniversary.

In earlier years he enjoyed camping and fishing in Northern Wisconsin with his family. Ray enjoyed many years deer hunting with the family, and took great pride with his 10 point buck.

Ray was involved with his love of gardening, mowing his lawn and snow removal for both his home and his neighbor for many years. He helped with research on the various Family Histories that he and Charlene worked on and traveled to various states to do the research. Ray and Charlene loved to travel and had been on many day trips and long motor coach trips since their retirements.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brother William Jr., a niece and many relatives and friends.

Ray is survived by his wife of 50 years, Charlene, daughter Michelle (Rick) Wiest, Laureen, Brittany and Matthew; son Greg (Brenda) Zier; son Dan (Stacey) Zier, Brandon and Natalie. Also two brothers and one sister and various relatives and friends.

A Funeral will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 220 Enterprise Drive, Verona, with Rev. Margo Martens presiding. A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, December 2, 2016 at the funeral home and again from 2:00 PM until time of service on Saturday. Immediately following the service, burial will be at Verona Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (donate.lls.org) or Agrace Hospice, Fitchburg. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Raymond Zier

October 03, 1930 - November 22, 2016

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