Gunars Zarins

Gunars Zarins, 79, of Appleton, passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2011 at Appleton Medical Center. Gunars was born on September 7, 1932 in Latvia to John and Milda (Slaucitajs) Zarins. In 1945 after World War II the family left Latvia and fled to Germany where they spent five years in a displaced persons camp until they emigrated to the United States in 1950. On his 18th birthday he arrived in New York and moved to the Appleton area in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1961 and started working at Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent) until his retirement in 1997. On April 9, 1961 he married Helene Valters and they spent 50 wonderful years together. Gunars enjoyed traveling, reading, crossword puzzles, his boat and riding his bike. He liked to cook, but most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and those times will always be treasured.

Gunars is survived by his wife Helene, three children; Ingrid (Thomas) Ebner, Appleton, Nora (Anthony) Herbst, Winneconne, and Erik Zarins, six grandchildren; Adam Ebner, Paul Herbst, Alexandra Ebner, Jordan Herbst, Alexander Zarins and Kayla Zarins. He is further survived by two brothers-in-law; Imants Strautmanis and Valdis (Austra) Strautmanis, a sister-in-law Renate (Vladimir) Bulizko in Latvia, and two special cousins, Ruta Neibergs and Ilze Wakely, other relatives and friends.

Gunars was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, sisters-in-law, Irena Strautmanis, and Irene Rafaels, three aunts, a cousin and a special niece.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 12:00 PM at the WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery. A time of visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jack Anderson, Dr. William Guenther, Dr. Nathan Munson and Dr. Jack Swanson, and all the fantastic care givers at the Martha Siekman Cancer Center, New London Family Medical Center, Appleton Medical Center floor 7 and the emergency room. We couldn't have gotten through this difficult time without you; all of us, especially our Dad adored each of you.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior St
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231