Leo A. Zehren

Leo A. Zehren, age 88, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, August 18, 2023. Leo was born October 1, 1934 at the family residence above the White Lily Cheese Factory in Shiocton, Wisconsin. He was the sixth of seven children of Leo V. and Agnes Zehren. Leo was a real ‘cheesehead’. At a young age Leo and his brothers helped their dad run the family cheese factory. Leo received his cheesemaker’s license at age 16. He graduated from Shawano High School in 1952. Leo earned his Bachelors of Science in Dairy & Food Science in 1956 from the University of Wisconsin Madison. After his discharge from the military, Leo married Janet Ebert at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano on August 22, 1959.

Leo, Janet and Leo’s brother John purchased Tracy Corners Cheese Factory and successfully operated this business for ten years. Leo moved to Denmark, Wisconsin to work at Lake to Lake Dairy, which became the Land O’ Lakes Cheese Plant. Leo became the Plant Manager and was named World Champion Cheddar Cheesemaker in 1992. Mentoring nine assistant managers to become Plant Managers was a source of pride. He was a member of the Shawano County Cheesemakers Association, Northeastern Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association, and the Wisconsin Masters Cheesemakers program. He was an active member of the De Pere Men’s Club. His Catholic faith was important to him and he was actively involved at All Saints Parish for many years including serving on the school board, annual picnic committee, funeral lunch committee, and the Holy Name Society. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janet, their children, Phil (Doreen) Zehren, Judy (Paul) Johnson, Patti (Jess) Miller, Cathy (Dennis) Derricks, Joe (Susan) Zehren, Jenny (Dale) Kratz, Elizabeth/Betsy (Brian) Dwyer, 19 Grandchildren, Ashley (Greg) Anthon, Leo Zehren, Alyssa (Andrew) Wickman, Ben (fiance Taylor) Johnson, Madeline, Margaret, Lizzie, and Elena Miller, Olivia and Claire Derricks, Brent (Marlee) Jorgensen, Caroline and James Zehren, Emma (fiance Caleb) Kratz, Thomas Kratz, William, Evelyn, Adeline and Lucetta Dwyer and their Great-grandchildren: Harper, Amelia, George, Campbell, Ivy and Vayda. Brother John, sister and brother-in-law Catherine and Harry Mueller, brother-in-law John Schelendich and sisters-in-law Peggy Zehren and Joyce Ebert.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Agnes Zehren, sisters Joan (Howard) Jacques and Maribeth Schelendich, brothers Vincent (Virginia) and Roger, parents-in-law Cletus and Alma Ebert, sisters-in-law Beverly (John) Ascher and Ruth Zehren, brothers-in-law Cletus Ebert and Jerry (Rita) Ebert.

Family and friends may gather on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Dr, Green Bay, from 2:00 pm– 3:45 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4:00 pm with Fr. Tom Reynebeau officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted in Leo’s honor to University of Wisconsin Babcock House.

Cotter Funeral & Cremation Care is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.cotterfuneralhome.com