In Memoriam ~ wayne zenk '68 - Saint John's Prep

Wayne Robert Zenk ’68

Wayne Robert Zenk, age 73, passed away July 27, 2023. He was preceded in death by parents Paul and Myrtle Zenk, brother Jerome (Jerry) Zenk, and daughter Rachel Zenk.

Wayne was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, and was quick to find ways to help his loved ones. His experience building his house with his father, brothers, and neighbors equipped him to help countless others with construction projects, big and small. In the last few years, he especially looked for projects for which he could use his Kubota tractor.

His faith was at the center of his life and the source of his service. Wayne was a longtime parishioner at the Catholic Church of the Epiphany, and prayed weekly in Eucharistic Adoration since the chapel opened in 1988. He was a leader in Boy Scouts and volunteered in many other areas throughout the years. Wayne was especially active at retreats, small groups, Bible studies, and was a graduate of the Catechetical Institute in the Class of St. Francis.

Wayne worked as a computer programmer at Unisys for 43 years, retiring in 2015.

While Wayne was quiet in demeanor, he had a wonderful sense of humor. He had a talent and love of organization, with notable examples including his Lego collection (sorted by color and block size), his freezer (with the inventory of contents and location), and one memorable Easter where he bought a Costco sized container of Jelly Bellies (which he organized by flavor).

Wayne loved watching planes take off and land, and spent hours watching ships come into and out of the Duluth harbor, both on site and online. He had many other interests, including camping with his family and friends, hiking, biking, fishing, woodworking, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and bird watching and photography.

Survived by his wife of fifty years, Phyllis; daughter, Margaret; sons, Eric (Molly), Jeff (Jessica), and Robert (Judith); grandchildren, Cole, Brigitte, Emmy, Sophie, Gwendolyn, Odelia, Natasha, Regina, and Magdalena; sisters, Margie Wateland, Judi (Warren) Beck, Mary Lou (Terry) Negard, and Kay (David) Cutler; brother, Paul (Kathleen) Zenk; sister-in-law, Teresa Zenk, and many other relatives and friends.

An Evening Visitation will be held for Wayne on Saturday, August 5th from 5-8 PM at Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home, 13817 Jay Street NW, Andover, MN 55304. Funeral Mass will be conducted on Monday, August 7th at 10:30 AM at the Church of the Epiphany, 1900 111th Ave NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433, with visitation one hour before. His Interment will follow the service, at Epiphany Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to the Church of the Epiphany.