Viola Jane (Ourada) Zeuske, 91, of Shawano, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 14, 2018, at the Unity Hospice Residence in De Pere.
Viola (Vi) was born on Nov. 20, 1926, in Marathon County. Daughter of the late James and Mary (Tikalsky) Ourada. Vi was the youngest of 11 children, graduated from the Antigo Vocational School, she then was employed by her brothers who owned the Dixie Lunch in Antigo where she met her future husband.
On Oct. 8, 1949, Vi and Eugene Zeuske eloped to Milwaukee. In 1956, Gene and Vi started the Zeuske Insurance Agency in Shawano and were licensed agents for 32 years.
Vi was an avid and champion bridge player, active with the Homemakers, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Shawano Republican Women. Vi was happiest when she was fishing in Canada, making over 150 trips to their cabin in Minaki, Ontario. Vi was known for her fish fries and fabulous pies. She loved her family and friends very much.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Gene, of Shawano; three children, Todd (Terry) Zeuske, Verona; Candee (Ray) Arndt, Brookfield; Cathy (John) Gard, Green Bay; seven grandchildren, Catie and Chris Arndt, Libby (Gard) Sobic, John Gard, Drew, Zachary and Troy Zeuske; one great-granddaughter, Madeleine Sobic; four sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Audrey Ourada, Cecelia Ourada, Joyce Geiger, and Duane and Mabel Zeuske; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Vi was preceded in death by her parents, nine brothers and one sister.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Shawano with the Rev. Tom Farrell officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Embarrass. Friends may call at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano on Thursday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m., led by Deacon Peter Gard. The visitation will continue at the church on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral.
Memorials may be directed to Unity Hospice Care. The Zeuske family would like to thank Dr. Cynthia Lasecki and the staff at the Unity Hospice Residence for the great care given to Vi.