Anton Josef Zueger, age 79 of 2203 Riverview Drive, Rock Falls, IL formerly of Walnut, died Saturday April 9, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family.
Tony was born on October 17, 1931 in Lommenschwil, Switzerland, the son of Anton and Paula (Sager) Zueger. He was the oldest of ten children. As a young adult in Switzerland, Tony attended a three year apprenticeship as a cheese maker. In pursuit of the American dream Tony came to the United States in 1953. He began his cheese making career in Wisconsin and eventually made his way to Walnut where he purchased the Walnut Cheese Factory in 1955. In October 1957 Tony returned to Switzerland to marry his wife Josy Zuend. Through hard work and perseverance together they grew their small business into Avanti Foods Company. Tony's economic prowess and his dedicated work ethic were ever present in everything he did. Tony was considered a leader in his local community, he was a board member of the Walnut Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Walnut Beer Garden, Walnut Park District Board, Walnut Zoning Board, Citizens First State Bank Board, Walnut Nursing Home Board, Walnut Community Development Board, Original Developer of the Chalet Landhaus in New Glarus, Wisconsin; Original Board of Director for Roth Cheese USA in Monroe, Wisconsin; Member of St. Andrews Catholic Church in Rock Falls, Illinois and Treasurer for Riverview Road in Rock Falls. Tony had a love for gardening, his many beautiful flowers, travelling, spending time with family and friends, visiting his brothers and sisters in Switzerland, winters in Palm Springs, California; and his home overlooking the Rock River.
He is survived by his two daughters; Doris Zueger of Bronschofen, Switzerland, and Marlies (Markus) Fisch of Walnut, Illinois; one son Anton (Jeri) Zueger of Walnut, Illinois; five grandchildren; Alex Fisch, Gabriela Fisch, Patrick Fisch; Anton the IV Zueger and Andreas Zueger all of Walnut; Five Brothers, Heinz Zueger of Stockton, IL; Alwin Zueger, Richard Zueger, Bruno Zueger, Felix Zueger all of Switzerland; Four sisters; Paula Bodmer, Vreni Zueger, Judith Ledergerber, and Helen Rohrer all of Switzerland. Josy, his wife of 50 years, preceded him in death in 2008.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday April 15, 2011 at 10:30 AM at St. John's Catholic Church, Walnut, Illinois with Father Dan Wilder, pastor and Msgr. Thomas L. Dzielak officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4 to 7 PM at Garland Funeral Home in Walnut, with Rosary at 3:30 PM. A memorial has been established in his memory to: Walnut Manor Nursing Home and Monroe Turner Hall, Monroe, Wisconsin. Condolences may be sent to: www.garlandfuneralhome.com.
Tony was born on October 17, 1931 in Lommenschwil, Switzerland, the son of Anton and Paula (Sager) Zueger. He was the oldest of ten children. As a young adult in Switzerland, Tony attended a three year apprenticeship as a cheese maker. In pursuit of the American dream Tony came to the United States in 1953. He began his cheese making career in Wisconsin and eventually made his way to Walnut where he purchased the Walnut Cheese Factory in 1955. In October 1957 Tony returned to Switzerland to marry his wife Josy Zuend. Through hard work and perseverance together they grew their small business into Avanti Foods Company. Tony's economic prowess and his dedicated work ethic were ever present in everything he did. Tony was considered a leader in his local community, he was a board member of the Walnut Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Walnut Beer Garden, Walnut Park District Board, Walnut Zoning Board, Citizens First State Bank Board, Walnut Nursing Home Board, Walnut Community Development Board, Original Developer of the Chalet Landhaus in New Glarus, Wisconsin; Original Board of Director for Roth Cheese USA in Monroe, Wisconsin; Member of St. Andrews Catholic Church in Rock Falls, Illinois and Treasurer for Riverview Road in Rock Falls. Tony had a love for gardening, his many beautiful flowers, travelling, spending time with family and friends, visiting his brothers and sisters in Switzerland, winters in Palm Springs, California; and his home overlooking the Rock River.
He is survived by his two daughters; Doris Zueger of Bronschofen, Switzerland, and Marlies (Markus) Fisch of Walnut, Illinois; one son Anton (Jeri) Zueger of Walnut, Illinois; five grandchildren; Alex Fisch, Gabriela Fisch, Patrick Fisch; Anton the IV Zueger and Andreas Zueger all of Walnut; Five Brothers, Heinz Zueger of Stockton, IL; Alwin Zueger, Richard Zueger, Bruno Zueger, Felix Zueger all of Switzerland; Four sisters; Paula Bodmer, Vreni Zueger, Judith Ledergerber, and Helen Rohrer all of Switzerland. Josy, his wife of 50 years, preceded him in death in 2008.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday April 15, 2011 at 10:30 AM at St. John's Catholic Church, Walnut, Illinois with Father Dan Wilder, pastor and Msgr. Thomas L. Dzielak officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4 to 7 PM at Garland Funeral Home in Walnut, with Rosary at 3:30 PM. A memorial has been established in his memory to: Walnut Manor Nursing Home and Monroe Turner Hall, Monroe, Wisconsin. Condolences may be sent to: www.garlandfuneralhome.com.