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Sauk Valley

Anton ‘Tony’ Zueger

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ROCK FALLS – Anton Josef Zueger, 79, of 2203 Riverview Drive, Rock Falls, formerly of Walnut, died Saturday April 9, 2011, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Tony was born Oct. 17, 1931, in Lommenschwil, Switzerland, the son of Anton and Paula (Sager) Zueger. He was the oldest of 10 children. As a young adult in Switzerland, Tony attended a 3-year apprenticeship as a cheesemaker.

In pursuit of the American dream, Tony came to the United States in 1953. He began his cheesemaking career in Wisconsin and eventually made his way to Walnut, where he purchased the Walnut Cheese Factory in 1955.

In October 1957, Tony returned to Switzerland to marry his wife, Josy Zuend. Through hard work and perseverance, together they grew their small business into Avanti Foods Co. Tony’s economic prowess and his dedicated work ethic were ever-present in everything he did.

Tony was considered a leader in his local community. He was a board member of Walnut Chamber of Commerce; chairman of Walnut Beer Garden; Walnut Park District Board; Walnut Zoning Board; Citizens First State Bank Board; Walnut Nursing Home Board; Walnut Community Development Board; an original developer of the Chalet Landhaus in New Glarus, Wis.; an original member of the board of directors for Roth Cheese USA, Monroe, Wis.; a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church, Rock Falls; and a treasurer for Riverview Road in Rock Falls.

Tony had a love for gardening. He enjoyed his many beautiful flowers, traveling, spending time with family and friends, visiting his brothers and sisters in Switzerland, winters in Palm Springs, Calif., and his home overlooking the Rock River.

He is survived by his two daughters, Doris Zueger of Bronschofen, Switzerland, and Marlies (Markus) Fisch of Walnut; one son, Anton (Jeri) Zueger of Walnut; five grandchildren, Alex Fisch, Gabriela Fisch, Patrick Fisch, Anton Zueger IV, and Andreas Zueger, all of Walnut; five brothers, Heinz Zueger of Stockton, and Alwin Zueger, Richard Zueger, Bruno Zueger, and Felix Zueger, all of Switzerland; and four sisters; Paula Bodmer, Vreni Zueger, Judith Ledergerber, and Helen Rohrer, all of Switzerland.

Josy, his wife of 50 years, preceded him in death in 2008.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. John Catholic Church, Walnut, with Father Dan Wilder, pastor and Monsignor Thomas L. Dzielak officiating. Burial will be at Walnut Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., with the rosary recited at 3:30 p.m., Thursday at Garland Funeral Home, Walnut.

Memorials have been established in his memory to Walnut Manor Nursing Home and Monroe Turner Hall, Monroe, Wis.

Visit www.garlandfuneralhome.com to send condolences.