Obituary for George Walter Zenger
George Walter Zenger, Jr., 86 years young of Elgin passed away after a short illness on Saturday morning, August 20, 2022, at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin.
George was born in Chicago on February 23, 1936, the son of the late George W. & Anne (Moisand) Zenger. He attended St. Catherine of Siena Grade School in West Dundee and graduated from Dundee Community High School, Class of 1954 where he played on the football team.
George was a member of the Christ Community Church, where he and Mary were ushers and members of the Prime Timer’s Senior Group. He was very active with the Dundee Scots Marching Band, where he served as the Ways & Means Committee Chairperson.
He was an avid traveler, taking his family to all the lower 48 states in their VW bus. In his later years, he visited all 50 states with Mary. He loved telling stories about his many travel adventures.
He loved the Cubs and Bears and was very happy to see each of them win a game just prior to his passing.
He always looked forward to seeing his Friday Morning Breakfast Club friends at Randall’s Pancake House.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 36 years, Mary Sue (Gannon) Zenger; his sister, Jean Schultz; sister and brother-in-law, Jeff and Nancy Gannon; his children: Bonnie (Mike) Leitner, Larry Zenger, Brenda (Troy) Dobler, Cyndie Munson, Jim Nelson, and Kristine (Glen) Ogden. Other survivors include his grandchildren: Bryan (Andrea) Leitner, Jason (Amber) Leitner, Patrick (Sarah) Zenger, Kelly Zenger, Ryan (Jacqueline) Dobler, Lauren (Chad) Dobler Cobb, Taylor (Trevor) Munson Guerrieri, Nick (Madison) Munson, Justine (Corey) Enderlin, Garrett Ogden, and Kaili Ogden; his 11 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews, and countless good and faithful friends including his longtime friend Earl DeYoung.
In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Georgianne and Price Riley; his brother-in-law, Norman Schultz, and a granddaughter in infancy. He was also preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Dorothy and Walter Gannon, as well as brother-in-law, Gary Gannon.
At George’s request, he was cremated and will be inurned at the Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on October 1st at 10:30am at Christ Community Church 37W100 Bolcum Road in St. Charles with Rev. Dwight Dally, officiating. George’s family will be receiving friends at the church on October 1st from 9:00am until the time of the Celebration.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Taylor Family Branch YMCA in Elgin, where he loved to swim laps.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Heena Shyamani and the wonderful staff on the 2nd and 6th floors of Advocate Sherman Hospital.
Miller Funeral Home in West Dundee is assisting the family with all arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.millerfuneralhomedundee.com. For information, please call 847-426-3436.
George was born in Chicago on February 23, 1936, the son of the late George W. & Anne (Moisand) Zenger. He attended St. Catherine of Siena Grade School in West Dundee and graduated from Dundee Community High School, Class of 1954 where he played on the football team.
George was a member of the Christ Community Church, where he and Mary were ushers and members of the Prime Timer’s Senior Group. He was very active with the Dundee Scots Marching Band, where he served as the Ways & Means Committee Chairperson.
He was an avid traveler, taking his family to all the lower 48 states in their VW bus. In his later years, he visited all 50 states with Mary. He loved telling stories about his many travel adventures.
He loved the Cubs and Bears and was very happy to see each of them win a game just prior to his passing.
He always looked forward to seeing his Friday Morning Breakfast Club friends at Randall’s Pancake House.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 36 years, Mary Sue (Gannon) Zenger; his sister, Jean Schultz; sister and brother-in-law, Jeff and Nancy Gannon; his children: Bonnie (Mike) Leitner, Larry Zenger, Brenda (Troy) Dobler, Cyndie Munson, Jim Nelson, and Kristine (Glen) Ogden. Other survivors include his grandchildren: Bryan (Andrea) Leitner, Jason (Amber) Leitner, Patrick (Sarah) Zenger, Kelly Zenger, Ryan (Jacqueline) Dobler, Lauren (Chad) Dobler Cobb, Taylor (Trevor) Munson Guerrieri, Nick (Madison) Munson, Justine (Corey) Enderlin, Garrett Ogden, and Kaili Ogden; his 11 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews, and countless good and faithful friends including his longtime friend Earl DeYoung.
In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Georgianne and Price Riley; his brother-in-law, Norman Schultz, and a granddaughter in infancy. He was also preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Dorothy and Walter Gannon, as well as brother-in-law, Gary Gannon.
At George’s request, he was cremated and will be inurned at the Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on October 1st at 10:30am at Christ Community Church 37W100 Bolcum Road in St. Charles with Rev. Dwight Dally, officiating. George’s family will be receiving friends at the church on October 1st from 9:00am until the time of the Celebration.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Taylor Family Branch YMCA in Elgin, where he loved to swim laps.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Heena Shyamani and the wonderful staff on the 2nd and 6th floors of Advocate Sherman Hospital.
Miller Funeral Home in West Dundee is assisting the family with all arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.millerfuneralhomedundee.com. For information, please call 847-426-3436.