Ziesemer, Raymond

1926 - 2008  (81 years)    Has 2 ancestors but no descendants in this family tree.

• Name	Ziesemer, Raymond
  Born	14 May 1926	Kenosha, Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA
  Gender	Male
  Died	8 May 2008	Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA
  Obituary	Aft 8 May 2008
  Appleton Post Crescent
  Raymond (Ray) Gene Ziesemer, 81, Howard, passed away into peace on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at St. Mary's Hospital in Green Bay after a brief illness. Born on May 14, 1926, in Kenosha, Wis., he was one of four sons born to Max and Cecelia Ziesemer of Kenosha. His elder brother, Donald survives him and resides in Kenosha as do his two younger brothers, Norman and Leonard. Ray liked to say he was a product of the Great Depression, never failing to regale listeners with tales of the era when his father walked to work rain or shine, children played in dirt streets under street lights until dark and horse and wagon were common in the industrial city of his birth. While he was no stranger to labor from a young age, he loved to draw and play music, developing both manual skills and artistic talent from the time of his early education. His showmanship was the subject of raucous stories of talent shows, vaudeville routines and entertainments between features at the local movie houses. And while these ventures were undoubtedly enjoyable, his dreams of a career in show business took a turn for the more practical when, while enrolled as not a particularly diligent scholar in high school, he took a job first as an usher and then as manager of a local movie theater. Denied the opportunity of service to his country because of his youth and a physical condition as a result of an accident, Ray took a two year hiatus from high school to work and to "entertain girls," as he used to say, returning to school and receiving his Diploma from Kenosha High School in 1946. On May 13, 1950, Ray married Verna Irene Lukawski of Kenosha who survives him and who was and remained the love of his life. Married nearly 58 years, Ray remarked that Verna was not only his wife but also his "Best Pal", a sentiment that was reiterated on the license plates of his vehicles. Ray and Verna grew up within blocks of one another in Kenosha but were only made acquainted in the late 1940's through mutual friends and relatives. Their extended families and friends and later their fellow-members of the Kenosha Yacht Club and Auxiliary were a strong force in their lives. The bond between them was forged in adversity as well as one medical malady after another struck the couple over the years. However, Ray's perseverance and unfailing allegiance to his wife and family helped him through dark times and bright. Early in the 1950's Ray was employed by Ladish Co.'s Tri-Clover Division in Kenosha, where as a journeyman machinist for the manufacturer of sanitary fittings and equipment for the dairy industry, Ray enjoyed a fulfilling career. His most proud achievement as a worker, however, came as a member of the International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 34 in Kenosha where he rose to prominence as a member of their executive committee for many years. He was honored by recognition that the conditions and treatment enjoyed by modern members of this esteemed guild are partly the result of the hard work of the early pioneers of collective bargaining. Ray retired in 1985, to join his wife and their daughter and her family in Green Bay, working for a time with the Howard Parks Department. This was where he embarked upon what was probably his most proud achievement as a family man. He and Verna were able to enjoy participating in the energetic lives of his granddaughters, Katharina, Jacklyn, and Kristen from birth up through their successful careers. And although it took him some distance from home, Ray was proud of the accomplishments of his son's family as well, as both he and Verna took several trips to California and Florida to visit and to celebrate the life of his grandson, Alexander. Ray was an avid NASCAR fan, he and Verna having visited Daytona International Motor Speedway. He loved to chat about racing and every subject under the sun with his neighbors as he quietly oversaw their comings and going from the comfort of his special center of operations at the door of his garage. He and his family are especially thankful of the bonds created between Ray and Verna and their wonderful neighbors. In addition to his wife, Verna, his daughter, Peggy Gombar and son-in-law, James Gombar, Pulaski and granddaughters, Kristen Gombar, Milwaukee and Jacklyn and Katharina Gombar and her fiance, Nick Van Asten, Green Bay, survive Ray as does his son, Thomas G. Ziesemer, daughter-in-law, Brandy and grandson, Alexander Ziesemer, Mount Dora, Fla. Family and friends may call at the Pfotenhauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Howard - Suamico Location, 1145 Cardinal Lane, on Sunday, May 11, from 3 until 7 p.m. A private family entombment will be held on Monday at Allouez Catholic Chapel Mausoleum. Online condolences are welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com. The family has indicated that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the donor's favorite charity in Ray's name. PFOTENHAUER Funeral & Cremation Services (920) 434-2060
  Reference Number	5588
  Person ID	I315459	1FamilyTree
  Last Modified	2 Sep 2018

  
  

  Father	Ziesemer, Max,   b. 27 Jul 1895,   d. 1 Feb 1976, Kenosha, Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA  (Age 80 years)
  Mother	Piehl, Cecelia,   b. 5 Jun 1905,   d. 9 Dec 2004, Kenosha, Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA  (Age 99 years)
  Family ID	F205601	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map	Load the map	Born - 14 May 1926 - Kenosha, Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA Died - 8 May 2008 - Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos

  Ziesemer, Raymond May 14, 1926 - May 8, 2008