William Henry Zenklusen

September 2, 1925 - April 25, 2011

William Henry (Dutch) Zenklusen, 85, passed away peacefully in the morning at his home on April 25, 2011. Dutch was born September 2, 1925, in Reno, Nevada to Frank Zenklusen of Switzerland and Caroline Pfieffer Zenklusen of Germany. Before Dutch was of school age his parents moved from Reno to Sparks, Nevada. There he attended twelve years of school and graduated from Sparks High School. While still in high school he enlisted in the US Navy. He was called to active duty in November of 1943 and served his country until April 1946. In the fall of 1946 he enrolled at the University of Nevada Reno, graduating in June 1950 with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduating from college he went to work for National Carbon Company in San Francisco as a salesman and trouble shooter for their automotive products. In late 1951 he left National Carbon and started his lifelong career in real estate. After becoming a real estate broker he also got his general contractor's license. During his investment and general contracting years he developed many projects, mainly in California and Nevada, that included retail, industrial, and thousands of housing units. Dutch had many long time friends and relatives that he stayed actively in contact with. He liked traveling, playing bridge and cribbage, and watching all kinds of sports. He also liked staying in contact with friends via the internet and sharing jokes. He had a keen mind and memory, and really knew how to tell a joke! Dutch leaves behind his wife, Dawn, son Fred Zenklusen (Candee) of Alamo, California, daughter Shirley Beasom (Fred) of Tehachapi, California, granddaughter Ashlyn Lanes of Alamo, California, granddaughter Jodee Zenklusen Clayton (Brian) of Morgan Hill, California, sister Carol Lepori (Frank) of Sparks, Nevada, and two great granddaughters, Linzee and Kaylee Clayton of Morgan Hill California, and special friends Lyn and Kurt Smistik. He also leaves behind loving nieces Patricia Packer Pashiz (David) of Willits, California and Carol Packer Sullivan (Steve) of Verdi, Nevada and two step sons Michael Tritch (Cheryl) of Mobile, Alabama and Sean Mahoney of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. His ashes will be placed near his parents at Mt. View Cemetery in Reno, Nevada. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday May 7, 2011, at Frank and Carol Lepori's home at 2010 Boise Drive, Sparks, Nevada 89431 from 1 - 4PM. The family requests donations be made to Sparks Heritage Museum, 814 Victorian Avenue, Sparks, Nevada 89431 or Hope Hospice, 6377 Clark Avenue, Suite 100, Dublin, California 94568 or a charity of your choice.