William Joseph Zuzek

William Joseph “Bill” “Red” Zuzek, age 99, of Hastings, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025, at Regina Hospital in Hastings, surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was born on September 21, 1926, in Hastings to William and Ernestine (Schanno) Zuzek. He grew up in Hastings with his brothers, Robert and Richard (Dickie). After his father died in 1930, his mother worked hard to support the family, taking in laundry, cleaning homes, and later working in the laundry at St. Raphael’s Hospital.

In the mid 1930s, Ernestine met Richard Sanders, who had three sons of his own, Richard (Dick), Donald, and Glen. They married in 1938, blending the two families. Richard and Ernestine went on to have four children together, making a busy household of ten kids.

Bill attended St. Boniface School and began high school in Hastings but left during his sophomore year to help at home. He later earned his GED through the University of Minnesota.

At 17, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He entered active duty in November 1944 and trained in Farragut, Idaho, and Point Loma in San Diego. He served as a radar man aboard the USS Knapp (DD 653), a destroyer in the Pacific during the final months of World War II. His ship was part of the fleet surrounding the USS Missouri during Japan’s surrender on September 2, 1945. After the war, he returned home through the Panama Canal and finished his service working on decommissioning assignments aboard the USS Uhlman and USS Hall. He earned the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Navy Occupation Service Medal.

After returning home, Bill, known to many as “Red” because of his hair, began working at Kaercher Funeral Home, then moved into sales. He spent time traveling for Reichert Sales before starting a long career in the automotive industry. Over the years, he worked at Wendler Ford in Hastings, Midway Ford in St. Paul, and the Ford Garage in Hastings. He was steady, hardworking, and well-liked by coworkers and customers.

In 1975, Bill bought the House of Wines liquor store in Hastings, which he ran until retiring in 1988. The store kept him connected to the community, and he enjoyed visiting with customers and taking pride in the business.

Bill married Delphine Johnson in 1952, becoming a stepfather to her two children. In 1976, he married Fern Mulock Davis, who had three children of her own. Together they blended their families and made a warm home.

He enjoyed playing cribbage and gin and was always up for a few hands with family or friends.

Bill is survived by his children, Janet Schneider, Larry Davis, and Jeff (Linda) Davis; brother, Jim (Mary) Sanders; sister, Elaine Hullander; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Delphine and Fern; son, Jay Davis; granddaughter, Jennifer Davis Blazek; brothers, Robert and Richard Zuzek, Richard, Donald, Glen, Gordy, and LeRoy Sanders.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 W. 15th Street, Hastings, MN. A visitation will take place one hour prior to Mass, from 10:00–11:00 a.m., at the church. A reception will follow the Mass, and burial with military honors will take place at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Cemetery.

Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel is handling the arrangements.