Jean Carol Ziesak, 83, of Eureka, passed away on April 28, 2022.

Jean was born on August 29, 1938 to Glenn and Margaret Humrich in Lincoln, Nebraska. The family moved to Sacramento, two years later where Jean grew up and attended local schools, including El Camino High School. She went on to attend and graduate from Sacramento State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Parks and Recreation Management. During her college years, Jeanie worked a plethora of jobs including camp counselor, the California State Fair, and park ranger at Yosemite National Park.

In 1959, Jeanie met Hardy Ziesak at Arcade Baptist Church and they were married there on April 7, 1962. In 1963, Jean and Hardy moved to Eureka so that Jean could run the Eureka Parks and Recreation Department, where she developed many lifelong friends. She was also a long time member of First Covenant Church, where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. In 1968, Jean and Hardy welcomed a son, Matthew to their family followed by their daughter, Tammi, in 1971. Shortly thereafter, Jean became a full-time mom but remained active in the local Recreation Department serving as an umpire for softball, volleyball referee, and working many aspects of the basketball program. In 1979, Jean began her career in Eureka City Schools serving as an instructional assistant at Worthington Elementary, Winship Jr. High, and Zane Jr. High where she retired in 2005. She continued to volunteer for many years in local schools and with her church. She was a fanatical San Francisco Giants and 49ers fan and enjoyed spending time with family and friends as well as tending to her many roses.

Jean is survived by her husband of 60 years Hardy Ziesak, son Matt (Lisa) Ziesak, daughter Tammi (Rod) Wagner, grandchildren Cameron, Abby, and Bridget Ziesak; Lily, Jackson, and Gabe Wagner, great-grandchild Lucy Wagner, sister Joanne (Larry) Cribbs, nephew Eric (Heidi) Cribbs, and many other family members and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Margaret Humrich, mother-in-law Frida Klemm, and nephew Jered Cribbs.

A celebration of life will be held at First Covenant Church in Eureka on Thursday, May 19th at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Triumphant Life Camp ℅ First Covenant Church, Eureka.

The family would like to thank the ICU nurses of Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital and Dr. Arcidi for the compassionate care of Jeanie.

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