Barbola Funeral Chapel

Raymond E. Kinziger

Raymond E. Kinziger, age 91, of Berlin, died unexpectedly at home on Thursday, October 12, 2017.

He was born September 23, 1926, on the family farm in Lena, WI, the son of Louis and Bertha Lhote Kinziger. Ray attended elementary school in Pound, WI, high school in Coleman, WI, and was a 1945 graduate of Gladstone High School in MI. He served his country in the Army during WWII in the U.S. and in Germany. In 1951, he graduated from Oshkosh State College. Ray began teaching and coaching in Markesan while earning his Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley). On August 23, 1953, he was united in marriage to Patricia Pierce in Markesan.

Ray and Patricia moved to Appleton in 1956 where he taught and served as Head Track Coach at Appleton High School. He then accepted the position of Principal at Grafton High School in 1961, serving in that capacity for five years. For the next twelve years, he was Principal at Stevens Point Area High School. In 1975, Ray became District Administrator for Berlin Area School District, retiring there after twelve years in 1987. This allowed him more time to spend with his wife and children, as well as pursue his hobbies of hunting, fishing, gardening, and the outdoors in general (especially his cottage). He was a past president of Berlin Rotary Club and a member of Grace English Lutheran Church.

He is survived by a son, Dr. Steven (Karen) Kinziger; a daughter, Karen (Jim) Buckley; and two grandchildren, Camille and Pierce. He will have a place in their hearts forever. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patricia on March 23, 2015; grandson, Davis; and brothers, Alfred, Louis, and Harold Kinziger.

Private graveside services with Military Honors will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Berlin, the Rev. Scott T. Piper officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel of Berlin. Memorials may be directed to Berlin Community Scholarship Corporation and Green Lake Conservancy Foundation.