Julian Joseph Zientek, 95, died surrounded by family, Feb. 22, 2022.
Born Dec. 8, 1926, in Brenham, TX, 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 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; 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; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews and other family and friend.
Funeral services 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 with visitation from 6-7 pm followed by wake and rosary at 7 pm. On Saturday, March 5, there will be a funeral mass at 2 pm 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.
