Donald Earl Zelenka, 72, of Helena, died Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, at St Peter’s Hospital after a long and gallant fight against cancer. Don was born in Lewistown, Montana, on Nov. 25, 1939 to Bertha Anna Dickson and Joseph Earl Zelenka, who preceded him in death.
Don attended various country grade schools where his mother was the teacher. He graduated from Fergus High School in 1957. He joined the United States Army Reserves in 1956 with honorable discharge in 1963.
Don and Carol Frances (Fran) Marsh were married in Lewistown on March 31, 1962, moving to Helena in 1966 where he worked as a Teamster at various construction companies until his retirement in 2000. He also worked as a fabricator/welder for various contractors throughout the Helena area.
Don is survived by his wife of 50 years, Fran; two sons, Robert (Makiko), Ronald (Kristin); one daughter, Ranae (Derrick) Llewellyn; two sisters, Beatrice (Everett) Bullis, Jean Hassler; six grandchildren, Samuel, Christopher, Brendan, Matthew, Lawson and Lainee along with many nieces and nephews.
We offer a special thank you to Dr. Weiner, Oncology nurses and office staff at St Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center and to the staff on the Oncology floor for their compassion and loving care and support during Don’s final days.
Rest in peace Don, you are greatly admired and loved by many. We are going to miss our husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend. You will forever remain in our hearts.
A celebration of Don’s life will be 3:00 p.m. Thursday, September 27th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A reception will be held in the social center of the funeral home immediately following the memorial service. Memories may be made to the Cancer Treatment Center c/o St. Peter’s Hospital 2475 Broadway Street Helena, MT 59601; The Angel Fund P.O. Box 7436 Helena, MT 59604 or to an organization of the donor’s choice. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family condolences or share a memory of Don.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
3:00 p.m.
Thursday September 27, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Thursday September 27, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
3:00 p.m.
Thursday September 27, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Thursday September 27, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Judy Freeman says
Fran I am so sorry for your loss. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. With love from Judy Freeman
Loretta Hodous says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Loretta and (Bobby Rang)
Carrie Tvedt says
Auntie Fran, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Rob, Ron and Renae. Love and miss you lots! Love Carrie
Jim and Shawnee Llewellyn says
Fran; Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Jim and Linda Vandrell says
Fran and Renae We are so sorry for your loss…I felt like I knew him through you and Renae..Bless all of you through your journey….praying for all of you….Linda
Derrick Llewellyn says
Don always treated me like one of his own sons. From the conversations and advise he gave me to the projects we did together. I loved (most of the time) how he would over engineer everything. If it called for 2 bolts he said we needed 4. The back yard shed turned tornado/bomb shelter will certainly stand the test of time with all the revisions to the plans he made.
You will certainly be missed.
Shadron Frank and Family says
Fran, Ranae, Rob and Ron,
Our family will be keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Don will be dearly missed. We are so sorry for your loss.
Beverly Keller says
Fran,Ranae, and family So sorry to hear about your loss. He can rest now, no more chemo. Will say prayer for all of you.
Caren Severson says
Dear Zelenka’s;
That is a great last name, just another reason to thank Don. I didn’t get to know him for long. But the few times we were together, was always around a stressfull time for the family, like a wedding. Don and I would sit out on the deck at Darlene and Leonards, and watch the rest of the family stressing. We would just giggly and say, glad we don’t have to do that. If Don did nothing else in his life, his giggly and smile would be all I would need from him. Hang in there the hard part is over. Now you have to learn to live with that damn hole in your heart, which I’m sure your Dad gave you the tools to do just that. Love You All. See you Wed. Caren.
lee andersen says
Hey aunt Fran and family I’m so sorry to hear about uncle dons passing he will be deeply missed RIP uncle don
Darlene Kahl Skoglund says
Dear Fran, Robbie, Ronnie and Ranae,
I am so sorry to hear about Don. It is hard to think of him as gone. I know these past few months have been tough. I remember when he visited with us in Minnesota many years ago. I was about 5 at the time and he would tease me by saying…”In Montana the sun sets behind the mountains” What does it set behind in Minnesota?” For some reason the fairground fence didn’t quite hold the same weight as mountains!
God bless you all in your sadness and grief. It is a big loss.
A cousin,
Darlene
Larry and Becky Hornby says
The Zelenka Family,
Darn computers, I couldn’t get it to work, help Rob. Many times were spent visiting over coffee, he introduced me to the Airedale dog breed, and was always there when I needed help or advice. Don was a MASTER Engineer, inventor, fabricator ( everything he did was to perfection with pride). Don was a hunting partner, listener and mentor. He took pride in his truck, Zeep, potography, and his family and friends. There is so much to say about him. And I know Fran, Rob, Ronnie, Ranae and their families and all his friends will miss him. But he is now up there in a higher place watching over you. May Becky And I send our DEEPEST SYMPATHY to you all. We too will miss that Don smile he always had.
Nancy Petersen says
To Fran and family,
We are so sorry to find out that Don passed away. It is such a loss. I wish we were living closer. This makes me remember some wonderful thoughts from the past. Take care of each other. Love
Nancy and Kevin