Julian Joseph Zientek
Julian Joseph Zientek, 95, passed from this world surrounded by family on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, to be reunited with the love of his life, Delia, in eternal rest.
Born on December 8, 1926, in Brenham, Texas, Julian served in the U.S. Army as a Polish, German, and Czech translator in World War II. He was the first employee of Transok Pipeline. A devoted Catholic who was recently honored as the oldest living member of the St. Benedict’s Knights of Columbus, Julian met his cherished wife of nearly 70 years at church. His guiding philosophy was, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” An avid farmer and gardener, Julian raised his own cattle, fruits, and vegetables to feed his family, friends, and those in need. Growing up during the Great Depression, he firmly believed that no one should go hungry and donated often to his local food pantry. He enjoyed fishing in his pond and relished eating fried fish with family on Fridays.
Julian was preceded in death by his beloved wife Delia Zientek; son Andrew Zientek; parents John and Frances Bilski Zientek; siblings Stanley, Mary, Aloysius “Alois”, and Sophie Zientek; brothers-in-law Tony, Edward, and David Pecore, John Oglesby, Wayne New, and Stanley Januszewski; sister-in-law Frankie Dickenson Pecore Bland; nephews Anthony “Tony” Pecore, Phillip Oglesby, Remi Zientek, James Jones, and Merrill Schramm; and nieces Lissia and Sherrie Pecore. He is survived by brothers Monsignor Benedict and Monsignor Bolislaus “Boli” Zientek; sisters-in-law Mary Alice New, Catherine Oglesby, Peggy Pecore, Rebecca Scullawl Pecore, Hannelore Neuroth Pecore, and Regina Halfmann Zientek; and brother-in-law George Bland. He will be dearly missed by children Theresa and husband Daryl Talbot, Michael and wife Linda Poole Zientek, Cecelia and husband Mike Lenggenhager, Mary Elizabeth Zientek, Margaret Zientek, and Timothy Zientek. His legacy includes grandchildren John Michael and James Zientek, Chris and wife Janette Steele Lenggenhager, Kenny, Kevin and Sheila Keahnah Talbot, Tesia Zientek, and Joseph and wife Brittney Turner Zientek; and great-grandchildren Dillyn Talbot, Jason, Brayden, and Delia Keahnah-Talbot; Bryden and Myka Lenggenhager; and Blaine, Autwin, Emilia, and Rosemary Zientek. He will be remembered fondly by longtime family friend Marvin Vinson, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless others who called him “Dad” and “Grandpa.”
Funeral services are graciously provided by Brown’s Family Funeral Home in McLoud, OK. Family and friends will celebrate Julian’s life at St. Benedict’s Church in Shawnee, OK on Friday, March 4 th with visitation from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by wake and rosary at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, March 5 th , there will be a funeral mass at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery. Community members are invited to a gathering at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center directly following interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Benedict’s Food Pantry or other charity of choice.