April 12, 2017 – West Bend, WI – Walter W. Zieja of West Bend died on Monday, April 10, 2017 following a hard fought battle against cancer at the age of 72 years. He was born on September 2, 1944 in Chicago to the late Walter and Bernice (nee Ast) Zieja.
After graduating from Burlington High School, he served with the United States Air Force. Following his discharge, he returned to Wisconsin, settling in the Lake Geneva area.
On November 12, 1984, he was united in marriage to Darlene M. Breuer at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Burlington. In 1991, the family moved to West Bend.
He was a member of the Fr. Casper Rehrl Council 1964 Knights of Columbus, West Bend Lodge 1398 Loyal Order of Moose, Lt Ray Dickop Post 36 American Legion, and Chapter 448 Vietnam Veterans of America.
Survivors include his wife Darlene; 2 children John of Kewaskum and Sara of West Bend; 2 granddaughters Addison and Sophia; 1 brother Gerald of Allenton; 1 sister MaryAnn Sczubleski of Chicago, IL; 2 brothers-in-law Gerald (Pat) Breuer of West Bend and Glen Breuer (friend Val Stetler) of Allenton; 1 sister-in-law Sharon (Ed) Tennies; other relatives and friends.
The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Thursday, April 20 from 2 until 3:45 p.m. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus will have a prayer service in memory of their Brother Knight at the church at 2 p.m. Military Honors will follow the Mass, performed by the West Bend Veterans Color Guard and Firing Squad.
The Schmidt Funeral Home of West Bend is serving the family.