James M. Zak Sr.

IRONWOOD, Mich. - James M. Zak Sr., 89, of Ironwood, died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, at Aspirus Grand View Hospital in Ironwood.

Jim's journey through life started and ended in Ironwood. He was born Dec. 12, 1925, son of the late Michael and Mary (Kurtz) Zak, and grew up in Reno Location. On occasion, he would drive by the "old" house and comment on how things had changed.

When World War II broke out, he felt an obligation to serve his country and left Luther L. Wright High School at the age of 17 to join the U.S. Navy. After 10 weeks of training at the Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois, he shipped out to San Diego, Calif., becoming a Pharmacist's Mate 3/c, and would spend the next three years in the Pacific Theater of Operations. As the Marines went island hopping across the Pacific, so did Jim. Two of those years were spent on Bougainville Island, New Guinea. His last 30 days of service were spent battling scarlet fever.

With the war over, Jim returned home and eventually met the love of his life, Anita Trolla. They were married on June 13, 1950, and Jim always said it was his lucky day. Together they raised three sons, James, Michael and Tim. Anita preceded him in death on March 27, 2012.

For most of his working life, Jim was a miner. He worked in the Cary Mine in Iron County, Wis. When the mines shut down, he went to work in a factory in Green Bay, Wis., that manufactured cans. He returned to mining a short time later and finished his mining career at the White Pine Copper Mine.

Jim had a few passions throughout his life. When Anita passed away, he visited her graveside every day. He disliked the onset of winter because it made traveling on unplowed roads of the cemetery difficult for him to keep her updated on the family and how much he missed her.

He loved to watch the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Tigers, and cursed the University of Michigan Wolverines when they wouldn't win. His fondness for sweets was legendary. When Jim bought candy bars, they were always king size. Well, dad's heart was king-sized and we will miss him dearly.

Surviving are two sons, James Jr. (Carol), Bruce, Wis., and Timothy (Nancy), Ironwood Township; six grandchildren, Ashley (Lance) Wipper, San Diego, Nicholas Zak, Iowa City, Iowa, Adam Zak (Jenny), Bessemer, Noah Zak, Iron Belt, Wis., Alex Zak, Ironwood, and Samantha (Mark) Olson, Ironwood; a sister, Marge Kmetz, Ironwood; daughter-in-law, Katherine Zak, Iron Belt; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Thomas Pallin, Anthony Trolla and Dolores Trolla, all of Hurley, and Cecelia Zak, Hibbing, Minn .; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and wife, Jim was predeceased by a son, Michael, in 2014; brother, John, in 1977; sister, Leatha Butler, in 2005; and niece, Mary Butler, in 2008.

Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with Deacon Chuck Gervasio officiating.

Full military honors will be accorded at the funeral home by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Lunch will be served at Manny's upon return from the cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.