Kenneth F. Zienta, age 82, of Kenosha, passed away at his home on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 following a brief battle with cancer.

Born on February 22, 1933 in Green Springs, OH, he was the son of the late Frank and Elsie (Baraiyai) Zienta.

He attended schools in Ohio and joined the US Navy in 1951. He served our country for 24 years; retiring as the Navy Chief in 1975.

On a “blind date” in Chicago on March 1, 1963, he met Rosemarie Batzkall.  He instantly fell in love with Rosemary and they married two months later, on May 11, 1963.  They were blessed with two daughters and had fun together for almost 52 years.

After Ken’s retirement from the Navy they made Kenosha their home. He was employed in the kitchens of Sara Lee in Deerfield, IL until retirement.

Ken was a member of the VFW Junker Ball Post 1865 in Kenosha; American Legion Post 50 and the VFW, both in Iron Mountain, MI and the VFW in Winthrop Harbor.

A loyal Detroit Lions and Tigers fan; Ken was known as the “life of the party”- the first one to arrive and the last one to leave.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rosemary; his children, Sherri Zienta and Stacy (Tony) Judeika; his 5 granchildren, Kenneth and Ian Tabili and Richard, Anthony and Jaime Judeika.

Along with his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Burgess.

Service Info

Private funeral services will be held at a later date.