John F. Zanter

John F. Zanter, 94, of La Crosse passed away at Benedictine Manor on Monday, February 13, 2023.

He was born in La Crosse on November 29, 1928, to John and Irene (Mehren) Zanter.

He graduated from Aquinas High School in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army and fought in the Korean War.  John married Ann Mettlach at Holy Trinity Parish on November 26, 1955.  He went on to become owner/operator of the DA Club and La Crosse Auto Supply store.

In his free time, he was an avid follower of the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers and Chicago Cubs and was also a fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Duke Blue Devils. He loved to travel and had an extensive collection of beer steins and Mettlach steins that he acquired over the years.  He enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on the Mississippi River. John is survived by his children Diane (Carl Jannett) Zanter of St. Paul, MN, John (Penni VanBeek) Zanter of La Crosse, WI, Michael Zanter of Whitehall, WI, Nancy A. (Mark) Wannemuehler of Holmen, WI, Karen Zanter of Eden Prairie, MN, Daniel (Linda) Zanter of La Crosse, WI, Thomas Zanter (Marci Watson) of La Crosse, WI, and Steve (Vicki) Zanter of Stoddard, WI, his 12 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is further survived by 2 sisters, Beverly Giovinazzo and Mary Jane Sheehan. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann Zanter, sister Ruth Kabat, brother-in-law Jack Mettlach, a daughter-in-law, Tammy Zanter, and a grandson Adam Zanter.

A celebration of life is being planned for late spring at his favorite place-his cottage on the Mississippi River.

Memorials may be directed to Aquinas High School or the Cathedral Parish in La Crosse, WI.