Harold “Pancho” Peter Zeitler, 78, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 25, 2025, in Crosby, Minnesota, after a strong three-year fight against cancer. His loving wife of 53 years, Connie, was at his side.
He was born in Oconto Falls to Isabel June Ankerson and George Joseph Zeitler, and grew up on a dairy farm near Green Bay. He graduated from Gillett High School in 1964. After attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for two years, he enlisted in the Navy submarine service and served in the Atlantic for four years on a fleet ballistic missile (FBM) submarine, the USS Henry L. Stimson.
Following honorable discharge, he married Connie Scott in 1972 and returned to college, earning a degree in accounting in 1974.
Harold’s work career included the Farm Service Cooperative and Siegwerk Inc. in Iowa, and the Emily Telephone Company in Minnesota, where he retired in 2009.
Harold lived to fish. He was a master in the garden, an incredible chef in the kitchen and held an enthusiasm for living off the land through fishing, hunting, growing and preserving food, and fishing some more!. He moved to northern Minnesota with his family in 1996, where fishing opportunities were abundant year-round.
Harold was a grand storyteller and enjoyed sharing his passion for fishing both on and off the lake, often tying these two things together during his famous fish frys. He will be missed greatly, and those who knew him will forever be touched by his stories and recollections, signature laugh and sense of humor.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Isabel Zeitler; and his brother, Thomas Zeitler.
Harold is survived by his wife, Connie; seven siblings, Kenneth “Frog” (Joy) Zeitler, Patricia “Putz” (Ben) Schaal, David “Moke” Zeitler, James “Jim” Zeitler, Kathy (Larry) Tuschy, Joseph “Joe” (Cindy) Zeitler and Hazel Butler; five children, Christopher (Joelle) Zeitler, Scott Zeitler, Rebecca (Jeremy) Carr, Marie (Bryan) Janssen and Jody (Esther) Zeitler; and six grandchildren, Zera, Olive, Judah and Cedar Carr, and Peter and Nathan Janssen. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He dearly loved his family, was proud of his children and grandchildren, and deeply loved his wife. We love you Dad, Grandpa, husband, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend. Your fight is over. Until we meet again.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby. Military honors will be presented by the Myrin-James American Legion Post #443.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made in Harold’s memory to Let’s Go Fishing, a nonprofit organization where Harold volunteered his time.
