JOHN LAWRENCE ZOUSKI

John Lawrence Zou-
ski passed away on Monday, February 15 surrounded by family after a 2-year battle with cancer. John was born November 19, 1942 in Chicago, IL son of John J. Zouski and Anna Pawlak. He grew up in various communities in central Wisconsin and graduated from Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids. After some college John joined the Navy in 1961.

In the Navy John served on the destroyer the USS Higbee, where he traveled through Asia including trips to the Philippines which he often spoke fondly of. The Higbee supported ground troops and performed other military operations near the coast of Vietnam in the early stages of the Vietnam war. He was honorably discharged from service in 1965.

Following his discharge from the navy he returned to Wisconsin where he found work in Oshkosh where he met the love of his life Susan Parsons. The couple was married in 1969 and began to raise their family of four children shortly afterwards.

In 1978 the family relocated to Plainfield. In Plainfield John found a career selling propane and propane accessories until his retirement.

John had a strong sense of community and actively participated in many organizations including leadership roles in the local Cub Scout Troop and membership in the Plainfield Volunteer Fire Department. He also spent many years involved in community government including 26 years as the Village President. John enjoyed participating in veteran’s groups including the VFW, the American Legion and the Cooties. Through his participation in these groups John grew a network of many close friends.

During his retirement John spent his days performing daycare duties for his grandchildren and volunteering at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home at King. He would often tell people that these were some of his happiest times and that he found great joy in his volunteer time as well as the time he spent with his grandchildren.

John was a caring husband, father and grandfather and is most often described by others as a good man who enjoyed good times including camping and spending time visiting with his many friends as well as friends of his children who he considered his extended family. He will be missed dearly by them all.

John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Susan; children Ruth Ann Zouski, John Derald (Stacy) Zouski, Sarah (Josh) Kramer and Paul (Kim) Zouski; grandchildren Vivian and Spencer Kramer and Wyatt and Mason Miller; siblings Lorraine Schmutzer, Tom (Sue) Zouski, Ann Marie (Joe) Myren and Dave (Noreen) Zouski; and many cousins nieces and nephews.

John is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers-in-law John “Jack” Schmutzer and Paul Kurvink.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 27th at Stahl Funeral Home in Plainfield. Burial will follow at a later date. The family encourages all attendees to be safe and follow appropriate safety measures related to current public health concerns. Masks will be considered optional. The family also understands that some may not feel comfortable in attending and virtual service options will be available.

In lieu of gifts of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to the Recreation Committee at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home so the members of that community will continue to be supported in John’s absence.