Alan "Al" R. Zeller
January 24, 1951 - January 12, 2014
Obituary
ZELLER, ALAN R. “AL”
MCFARLAND-Alan R. “Al” Zeller, age 62, died unexpectedly of a stroke and was called to be with our Heavenly Father on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014. He was born on Jan. 24, 1951, the son of Frank and Delores (Peroff) Zeller. Al was a graduate of Cambridge High School and U.W. Madison and went on to teach math in Spring Green, Wis. He married the love of his life, Nancy Pitts on Oct. 31, 1981. God blessed their marriage with a beautiful daughter Mary, the joy of their life. He was currently working at Capitol Mechanical, Sun Prairie Wis. in sales as an Energy Analyst and engineer. He was a family man, and his strong faith in our Lord was expressed with a great joy and enthusiasm for life. Everyone loved being around Al because he had an infectious sense of humor and loved a good laugh. He would often say, “A sad Christian, is a sad Christian.” Al had a sense of adventure, from fighting forest fires in Alaska to building solar homes in Arkansas. He loved cheering on the Wis. Badger Basketball team, golfing, fishing and most of all spending time with his family at White Sand Lake and buddies at the “Hunting Shack”. He took pride in his vegetable gardening with always being a farm boy at heart. He was a member of Good Shepherd Parish, the Knights of Columbus # 531, Vigil for Life, Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, ASHRAE, and McFarland Finance Committee. Al is survived by his wife, Nancy; a daughter, Mary; brothers, Arick Zeller, Frank (Gloria) Zeller, Fred (Lynne) Zeller and Scott (Lydia) Zeller; brothers-in-law, Tom Pitts, Mike (Linnea) Pitts, John (Willie) Pitts and Marty Pitts; sisters-in-law, Peggy (Jon) Olson and Joan (Sam) Spair; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister-in-law, Annie Zeller. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at THE GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC PARISH, ST. JAMES, 1128 St. James Court, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 with Monsignor Thomas Baxter presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, with a Rosary being recited at 6:45 p.m., and at the church from 10:15 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pro Life Wisconsin, St. James School, Women’s Care Center, or Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Thu Jan 16, 2014 @ 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Visitation
Fri Jan 17, 2014 @ 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish at the St. James Church (Madison) • 1128 St. James Court, Madison, wi
Service
Fri Jan 17, 2014 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish at the St. James Church (Madison) • 1128 St. James Court, Madison, wi
Photos
Memories
MJ
Mike Pitts Jr.
Other •
Aunt Nancy & Cousin Mary-
I don’t think I know anyone that was more prepared to meet the Lord than Uncle Al. He had strongest faith of anyone I know. We are all very lucky to have had the opportunity know him and been witnesses and recipients of his kindness, generosity, and love. He had a huge heart and his actions were always well intended. Uncle Al will be sorely missed by me and anyone that he came into contact with.
One of my favorite memories of Uncle Al occurred during a sunset/booze cruise on White Sand Lake. As the pontoon boat began to take on water, due to capacity issues, and fear spread across participants like wildfire, the thought of capsizing never crossed Uncle Al’s mind. He was calm, cool, and collected. That is until another “emergency” presented itself. As the rest of us scrambled to position our weight so that the boat did not capsize, sending family members all over White Sand Lake, and the screams of terror echoed across Vilas County, all I can remember hearing above those screams, the outboard engine, and music blasting in the background, was, “Nancy! The Cooler!!!!” I will never forget the look of sheer terror in his eyes as his beloved cooler, filled with his favorite Capital Brewery Beer, began to float away. In his infinite wisdom, I know he knew that the rest of us could fend for ourselves, but the cooler and the beer were helpless victims of our collective foolishness and needed special attention.
Godspeed to you Uncle Al as you enter your new journey through eternal life.
Love Always,
Mike, Jenna, Lucy, & Gwyneth
RT
Rosie Troia
Other •
Nancy and Mary,
We are so sorry for your loss. I remember the three of you coming to the club house for fish on Friday. I so enjoyed getting to know all of you. I used to give Mary olives from the bar. They were and maybe still are a favorite treat.
My husband, Jerry rolled cookies with Al for the last 5 years. Also Jerry and Al rubbed shoulders with each other during various KC's events. Jerry enjoyed his laughter and the way he would blush.
We both know that he is a wonderful person and will be missed by a lot of people.
Rosie Troia and Jerry Thompson
JT
Joanie Blanchar Tyler
Other •
I had the pleasure of getting to know al, nancy and Mary as my twin daughters went to Edgewood high school with Mary . Always a smile and a nice word, al was very devoted to his family and the love he had for them was always present. The devotion he had for his daughter Mary was heart warming. A father -daughter bond so rare. His love for Christ was for ever a example to all. The way al could light up a room I will never forget...Nancy and Mary please no you are not alone, as you walk thru this journey you have many hands to hold, including mine. God may of called him home, but his light shines on thru your memories of him! May god be with ALS family during this difficult time. Fly high AL I hear that somewhere over that rainbow is amazing!!! Until we meet again sir,,!! Love ,clay, joanie, Hannah , Maggie and lilie Tyler👼🙏🙏🙏👼❤️❤️❤️💓💓💓
DT
Dana Tanner
Other •
Dear Nancy & Mary,
I have not seen you in many years but my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Dana Tanner
MS
Mark Sockness
Other •
Dear Nancy, Your friends are here to surround you with love and support. Please call upon any of us for a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on or when you just need someone to listen quietly while you grieve the loss of Al. Regrettably, I will not make it to Madison to console you and personally offer my sympathies. Just know my prayers are with you, Mary and all those who loved Al.
May the many years of joy you shared with Al always bring a smile to your face and aid you as you overcome this HUGE loss.
With love and caring thoughts,
Mark Sockness
MJ
Mike Pitts Jr.
Other •
Aunt Nancy & Cousin Mary- I don’t think I know anyone that was more prepared to meet the Lord than Uncle Al. He had strongest faith of anyone I know. We are all very lucky to have had the opportunity know him and been witnesses and recipients of his kindness, generosity, and love. He had a huge heart and his actions were always well intended. Uncle Al will be sorely missed by me and anyone that he came into contact with. One of my favorite memories Uncle Al occurred during a sunset/booze cruise on White Sand Lake. As the pontoon boat began to take on water, due to capacity issues, and fear spread across participants like wildfire, the thought of capsizing never crossed Uncle Al’s mind. He was calm, cool, and collected. That is until another “emergency” presented itself. As the rest of us scrambled to position our weight so that the boat did not capsize, sending family members all over White Sand Lake, and the screams of terror echoed across Vilas County, all I can remember hearing above those screams, the outboard engine, and music blasting in the background, was, “Nancy! The Cooler!!!!”I will never forget the look of sheer terror in his eyes as his beloved cooler, filled with his favorite Capital Brewery Beer, began to float away. In his infinite wisdom, I know he knew that the rest of us could fend for ourselves, but the cooler and the beer were helpless victims of our collective foolishness and needed special attention. Uncle Al - Godspeed to you as you begin your journey through eternal life. Love Always, Mike, Jenna, Lucy, & Gwyneth