Gerald Zacharias

Gerald Edward Zacharias, age 87, of Ripon, WI, passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at Ripon Medical Center, with his family by his side.

Gerald was born on January 21, 1935 on Zacharias Island near the village of Marquette, WI, the son of Harold and Lucille (Laper) Zacharias. He attended Prairie View School and graduated from Markesan High School in 1952. On October 1, 1952 he joined the Wisconsin National Guard in Ripon with the communication platoon. He became the Battalion Administrative Assistant in 1956 and later after reorganization he became the Unit Administrator in Ripon and served active duty. On July 11, 1959 he married Diane Buetow at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Markesan, WI. Gerald served from 1961 to 1962 in Fort Lewis, Washington during the Cuban Missle Crisis. He retired in 1990 after 38 years in the National Guard and 34 years as the Unit Administrative Assistant at the Ripon National Guard Armory. During Desert Storm he returned to active duty working full time as a family assistant in Appleton for the National Guard. After his retirement from the National Guard, he worked part time for Miles Kimball’s in Oshkosh, and later worked part time for the Ripon Area Service Center in the woodshop. Gerald was a devoted member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ripon. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, watching football games; he loved to dance and roller-skate in his younger years; and most of all cherished his grandchildren and their school and sporting events.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife of nearly 63 years, Diane Zacharias of Ripon, WI; three daughters, Tara (James) Koller and LuAnn (Kevin) Rosenau both of Ripon, WI, and Vanessa Zacharias of Milwaukee, WI; three grandchildren, Abigail Rosenau of Milwaukee, WI, Hailey Koller of Madison, WI, and Noah Koller of Fond du Lac, WI; two brothers, Richter (Jeanette) Zacharias of Markesan, WI and William (Faye) Zacharias of Ripon, WI; a sister-in-law, Wilma Buetow of Spring Lake Park, MN; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Lucille Zacharias; in-laws, Frank Buetow and George (Clara) Koch; grandparents, Edward and Elsie Laper and Paul and Minnie Zacharias; and a brother-in-law, David Buetow.

Visitation for Gerald will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 9:00 until 11:00 am at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 430 W. Griswold St., Ripon, WI 54971.

A memorial service for Gerald will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ripon, with Rev. Clay R. Salmela officiating. Inurnment will take place at Green Lake Center Cemetery, Town of Green Lake, WI, with a Final Salute and Military Honors. Memorials in his name may be directed to the church.