Douglas Wayne Zwickey

Douglas Wayne Zwickey, age 90, died on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital. He was born on June 19, 1933, in Evansville, to Harold J. and Lula B. (Pritchard) Zwickey.

As a child, Doug loved hunting, fishing, and especially fur trapping, starting at the age of eight. He developed his love and respect for wildlife early in life. Doug attended Evansville High School, graduating in May of 1951. He worked on the family mink ranch for two years when his sister insisted he go to college at UW-Madison. Doug graduated with a degree in animal husbandry and a minor in chemistry.

In February of 1957, Doug married Gaye Ingemunson. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent two years in Frankfurt, Germany with Gaye. His daughter Jean was born there in 1958. They traveled extensively throughout Europe during that time. The family returned to Rhinelander in 1959 where his second daughter, Dawn, was born.

After taking over for his dad, Doug owned and operated Zwickey Fur Farm while also enjoying hunting, fishing, travel and, most importantly, his family. Family came first but the mink ranch was his steadfast love and obsession. When talking about obituaries one day, Doug said, “All you have to say in mine is, ‘He was a mink rancher.’”

The passing of Gaye in 1988 was devastating. Fortunately, four years later he reconnected with a high school classmate, Pauline Gross. They were married a year later and enjoyed traveling together for 27 years. Doug also lovingly embraced Pauline’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

After Pauline’s passing in 2020, Doug continued to maintain his home, showing off his beautiful gardens and taking great care of his beloved wildlife nearby.

Doug is survived by his daughters Jean (Kevin) Krueger and Dawn (Terry) Berndt, his sister Betty Vig and his nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Pauline’s children Michael (Karen) Piehl, Nancy (Calvin) Theroux, Tom Zimmer, David (Annette) Zimmer and Steve (Dena) Zimmer, Pauline’s grandchildren, Erin (Zach) Lundmark, Megan (Joey) Gennings, Jake Theroux, Amy (Steve) Gallagan, Brian Theroux, Matt Theroux, Hannah (Deion) Sonsalla, Ian Zimmer, Ryan Zimmer, Sammi Zimmer and Pauline’s great-grandchildren, Rylee Lundmark, Reagan Lundmark, Kaydence Nickaboine, Andrew Gallagan, Soleia Sonsalla, Remington Gennings and Rori Gennings. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives Gaye and Pauline, brother Harold Jr., and Pauline’s daughter-in-law Carrie Zimmer.

A visitation will be held for Douglas on Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. with a service following at 11 a.m. all at the Carlson Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow immediately at the Northland Memorial Park Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers the family would ask that all donations be made to Wild Instincts of Rhinelander in the name of Douglas Zwickey. 

You may leave your private condolences for the Zwickey family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is handling the arrangements for the family.