NORBERT ZENEFSKI
February 20, 1955 - July 06, 2025
Obituary
Brian Zenefski, age 70, of Neenah WI passed away July 6, 2025, from complications of multiple health issues. Brian was born February 20, 1955, son of Norbert A. & Doris (Blank) Zenefski.
Brian had many interests including Harley Davidson's, brewery advertising and the history of the former George Walter Brewing Co. Brewers of Adler Brau Beer.
Brian had written several articles that had been published in the American Breweriana Association Journal and the Packer Chapter Newsletter. He was especially happy with the article he had written about the George Walter Brewery for the Oshkosh Beer Blog.
Brian was also a key figure in setting up the annual George Walter Beer Birthday event that is held annually at Stone Arch Brew Pub. The Adler Brau Beer brewed at Stone Arch is based on brewmaster records Brian had. He also served on the board of directors for the Packer Chapter of the Beer Collectible Club of America.
Most of Brian's career was spent in the paper industry in various local paper mills, with his last place of employment being at the now-closed GE Oil & Gas in Oshkosh.
Brian is survived by his brothers: Rick (Mary), Paul (Laure), as well as by many nieces and nephews, and longtime girlfriend Alethea Rolf (my special girl), and her daughter, Heather. He is also survived by his friend, Nancy Stratton.
Brian was preceded in death by his mother, father, and infant brother Charles, as well as his best friend, Don Steffens.
Brian and his family would like to thank the doctors who over the last several years, helped to make Brian as comfortable as possible with his many medical issues: Dr. David Anderla, Dr. Scott Kolbeck, Dr. Dan Higgins, Dr. Michael Ray, Dr. James Mariano, Dr. Patrick Mannebach, Dr. Robert Nonn, Dr. Patrick Brennen, Dr. Harsha Poola, and deceased Dr. Jeffrey Whiteside and Jeffrey Klingbiel.
A special thank you goes out to a very special longtime friend, Ken Kositzke, who Brian referred to as his second dad. Thank you to Bob of Damon Digital Services for all his friendship and help in different projects Brian had completed. Also thank you for Dean Mielke for always being a good friend.
Thank you to Matt Bouressa who spent countless hours discussing the former George Walter Brewery. Many happy memories were made through these conversations.
Also, thank you to neighbors, Germaine Nielsen, Scott Nielsen, Cindy Anderson, Chad Gettlinger, and Kyle Kaelin, who were always there to lend a helping hand in things Brian was no longer able to do as time went on.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home with Pastor Sandra Crase officiating. A visitation will be held from 12:00 P.M. until the hour of service. Brian's interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah, WI.
Brian always said, whereas he drank enough beer kegs dry and walked around looking like a keg for a good share of his life, his final wish was for his urn to be a George Walter Brewing pony beer keg. After all, Brian had an Adler Brau Beer ribbon engraved on his headstone.