Denice M. Zenger

Gary Zenger, 56, and wife, Denice, 62, of Bois D’Arc, MO, died Saturday, May 19, 2012 in a motorcycle accident at Springfield, MO. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Friday May 25, at the United Methodist Church, Haddam, KS. Rev. Randy Jellison-Knock officiated. The pallbearers were Kyle Coonrod, Mike Warrington, George Gross, Mike Agnew, Shad Pennington, Kevin Wurm, Jim Roland, Randy Snyder, David Ayers, John Smith, Marlin Skipton, Gene Stoker, Jay Brown, Mike Goforth, Dean Dosch, Jim Page, Gary Talbott and David Cox. Burial was in the Haddam City Cemetery. Gary was born April 14, 1956 at Belleville, KS, to Johnnie and O’Leta Zenger. In 1974, he graduated from North Central High School in Morrowville. In 1974, Gary joined the former Burlington Northern, now the BNSF Railway, and held numerous telecommunication positions including, lineman, cable splicer, maintainer foreman. He mentored many people on safe tower climbing, rigging and system support. He was known for his quiet leadership style, his excellent knowledge of railroad systems, and his willingness to teach and grow other telecom professionals. Gary had a positive impact of other people’s lives, wherever he lived, from Montana-Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. Since 1974 he was a superb member of IBEW Local 547. Denice was born December 6, 1949 at Lincoln, NE, to Keith and Joyce (Hammond) Menefee. She graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She was a Travel Agent for 25 years at Great Southern Travel. On September 18, 1981, they were united in marriage at Lincoln. They both enjoyed taking trips and traveling on their motorcycle, raising English Springer Spaniel dogs, gardening, and most of all their children and grandchildren. Both were preceded in death by Gary’s father, and Denice’s parents; and her sister, Gillian Roach. Survivors include their children, Jeffrey (Heidi) Pearson, Keller, TX, and Michelle Coonrod, Omaha, NE; four grandchildren, Kyle Coonrod, Christian, Drake and Chloe Pearson; Gary’s mother, O’Leta, Haddam; and his siblings, Richard (Sheirl) Zenger, Belleville, Allen (Shirley) Zenger, Reynolds, NE, Mike (Ruth Ann) Zenger, Washington, KS, Debbie (Jim) Stanton, Morrowville, and Karen (Ron) Nutz, Haddam; and Denice’s parents; and her siblings, Barry (Jackiey) Menefee, Ocala, FL, Raymond Menefee, Omaha, NE, Jennifer (Brad) Sacca, Organ, NM, and Lori Menefee, Denver, CO. Memorials may be made to the Gary and Denice Zenger Memorial Fund. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, 115 W 2nd, Washington, KS 66968. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Denice M. Zenger, please visit our flower store.