Sir Kennth Keith John Zip Zeller III is just one of the many names you may have known him by, or perhaps the root of one you are more familiar with. No matter what name you knew him by, there is a good chance you also have a memory, a song, a story, and a laugh that flashes before your eyes when you think of him.

Ken was a brother. He had two older sisters: Pat and Barb; and three younger brothers: Ron, Rick, and Kevin. Together, they helped create a beautiful foundation.

Kenny was a nephew, a cousin, and an uncle. With many aunts & uncles himself and countless cousins, nieces & nephews, these memories are filled with shenanigans, told and untold.

Zip was a student. Sports came naturally and extracurriculars were an important part of this stage in his life. Zip found his people, his people found him, and he graduated high school in 1972! This kicked off a career which started in Fennimore going to school for mechanics and allowed him to retire as well seasoned professional within the industry.

He was a father. He married Sue Cordell in 1984 and during this adventure, two amazing children were born. They welcomed Elizabeth Anne in 1985 and Alexander Graham in 1987. This unlocked the best pieces of Zip and Sue, both.

He was a grandpa. Elizabeth and Tyler welcomed Blayne Lee in 2007. Alex and Karissa welcomed Winona Joy in 2023. Earning the title of Grandpa Zip, getting to teach his grandson about the outdoors, and being able to witness his granddaughter say, 'Pa Pa Zip", filled his heart and brought unimaginable joy to his soul!

Zip was a friend. From an early age, he had a way of creating connections. With people, with ideas, with nature, with anything! If Zip saw you had a need, and he had ANY way to help fulfill it; your friend Zip was there! Zip worked hard for and found his river dream home along the Rock River in Illinois. The core group of people sharing this part of Zip's life with him, know how action packed and extraordinary those moments in time were.

With such an open and creative mind, it is no wonder the art of music remained central in Zip's life. Mixing an acoustic guitar and harmonica – especially with some friends – was a live performance waiting to happen! The adventures this led him through are likely to be among some of the most notorious stories.

In my dad's own words, "I do not have any enemies".

On Tuesday October 26, 1954, love gained a physical face on this earth. On Thursday February 13, 2025, that love changed forms.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his father Donald Edwin in 1971, his mother Beatrice Catherine in 2022, his second-father Mick Koons in 2019, and his children's mother Sue in 2013. He is survived by his children – Elizabeth (Tyler) Tharp and Alexander (Karissa) Zeller; his grandchildren – Blayne Tharp and Winona Zeller; his siblings – Barb (Rod) Fellenzer, Pat (Rich) Hinderman, Ron (Tami) Zeller, Rick Zeller, Kevin Zeller; his nieces and nephews – Corey, Tara, Chris, Becky, Molly, Don, Doug, Eric, Kari, Kevin Jr., and Heather Marie, and countless friends who he genuinely considered family.

Ken's children, Alex & Elizabeth, have honored his wishes through cremation and will spread his ashes among three rivers. We will be celebrating Zip's memory in two additional settings as well, fulfilling dad's final requests in sharing laughter and connecting with those he loved the most. We hope to see you there.

June 28, 2025: Celebration gathering at Bar-tell Bar & Grill in Hazel Green, WI. Welcoming dad home & sharing stories.

July 2025: gathering at the Annual Fencl Family Reunion. This will be a wonderful opportunity for family to come together in one of his fondest settings, nature.

TBD : let's celebrate on the Rock River with music! More to come on details here, but the main plan will be friends coming together and creating even more memories.

In lieu of plants & flowers, a Kenneth "Zip" K. Zeller Memorial Fund has been established.

Memorials may be mailed to:

Haudenshield Funeral Home
c/o: Kenneth Zeller Family
P.O. Box 825
Cuba City, WI 53807