Douglas C. Ziarnik, age 81, a Manitowoc resident, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at St. Mary's Home, Manitowoc.

He was born July 3, 1944 in Manitowoc, son of the late Chester M. and Violet Rose (Gerl) Ziarnik.

Douglas attended Adams Grade school and was also home schooled. In 1957, he started his work career at Holiday House Inc., (now Ascend Services Inc.).   He was one of the original boys that worked with the founder B.J. Halverson selling Christmas trees and making wreaths.  He is pictured on the Ascend Services Inc. website history page https://ascendservicesinc.org/history/ and can be viewed in this 65th Anniversary video (from 9:33 to 10:33). https://youtu.be/oakWhgXGsZU

Douglas worked in the Production Department for 17 years from 2002-2019 at Holiday House / Ascend Services Inc.  After his retirement, he attended the Day Service program at Ascend Services for seven years, until the time of his death.   His Ascend days were filled with community and on Ascend campus activities.  All were special to him, and he especially loved to learn on his library days with Don.

Douglas was a member of the Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Wellness Center and attended the Parkinson's Exercise class twice a week.  He kept everyone smiling with his "joke of the day", and after class, he and Mark enjoyed playing "500 Rummy" cards.

Douglas also attended St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Community in Newton where he was a former Hospitality Minister.    One Holy Thursday, he participated in services as pictured above; it was the highlight of his Hospitality Minister service.

Douglas always looked at the bright side of every situation and had a knack for encouraging others and praying for them with a direct line to God.  He often spoke with his special friend, Kristin, who lives in Portland, OR, and found ways to uplift her spirits and often prayed for her and many others.  He had a powerful team, as he began all his prayers with "Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and his special guardian angel, Jakari".

He was a lover of music and had a very eclectic taste in various genres; Elvis, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, John Denver, Beatles and artists from the 50's - 70's.  He listened to Alexa Music Unlimited and WOMT radio daily.  He loved his WOMT radio station visit and recording with Don.  Douglas also enjoyed gospel songs.  He spent many hours singing, playing his guitar, organ, and many other instruments.  Douglas was most happy when he had a microphone in his hands. Cindy also made his Tuesday Music Day at Ascend a hit!

His love of music was only second to his love of eating and cooking.  "Chef Doug" loved preparing healthy foods every day.  He had a goal of owning his own Coffee Shop with restaurant; it was to be named "Sunrise Java Café" and was to be in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  He spent every Wednesday afternoon at the Manitowoc Coffee shop where he got his inspiration for his "Sunrise Java Café".  He and Mark also managed to get some more card playing into those afternoons with coffee.

Douglas enjoyed traveling across the USA.  He loved his visit to Elvis' Graceland in TN, New Orleans, LA, traveling through Nebraska, Iowa to go west to Cheyenne, WY, Yellowstone National Park, in WY, Salt Lake City, UT, Denver, CO, and the Rocky Mountains, Hollywood, in CA, and Las Vegas, NV, to visit his sisters while they were in the USAF and ANG.   One of his favorite trips was to visit his cousin, Faye, and Steve Peck in Cape Coral, FL, and to see a childhood friend, Tom Nichols.  Over his lifetime, his cousin, Faye, was like a third sister to him and hosted him often at her home in Mequon, WI, where he spent time with his cousin, Johanna Kubicek, also.  Douglas spent much time traveling to every corner of his home state of Wisconsin visiting family and absorbing nature's beauty.

Douglas is survived by his sister, Michele Ziarnik, Manitowoc; special cousins, Johanna (John) Kubicek and their daughter, Samantha, Oak Creek, Steve Peck, Cape Coral, Florida, Todd Svacina, Delores Haag, Manitowoc, and Marlene Mertens, Manitowoc; a special granddaughter, Mallorie Tadych, Manitowoc; as well as other cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Violet Ziarnik; his sister, Mary Jo Ziarnik, who passed two days before him on March 23, 2026; paternal grandparents, Mary and Wenzel Ziarnik; maternal grandparents, Joseph and Mary (Hupf) Gerl; aunts and uncles, Tillie Armbruster, Floyd Armbruster, and Dorothy (Louis "Buddy") Svacina; cousins, Leon (Gail) Armbruster, Faye (Svacina) Peck, Terry Svacina; a great aunt and great uncle, Ida and George Burkhart; as well as other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Douglas and his sister, Mary Jo Ziarnik, will be held at 12:00 p.m. noon on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Calvary Catholic Mausoleum, 2601 S. 14th Street, Manitowoc. Officiating at the service will be Chaplain Nancy Twichell and the Rev. David Beaudry.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Calvary Catholic Mausoleum, Manitowoc.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doug's name to Ascend Services, Inc., 2818 Meadow Lane, Manitowoc, WI 54220.  Donation link: https://ascendservicesinc.networkforgood.com/projects/183944-give-with-all-your-heart

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the Ziarnik family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to thank many who touched Douglas' life: Ascend Services Inc., specifically, Deanna Genske, Marissa Fitzgerald, Darian Kaderabek, Donna Weier, Mark Erickson, Cindy Johnson, Don Stechmesser, Pat Pankratz and special GD Mallorie Tadych for their loving, compassionate care and friendship.

Lakeland Care: RN Jessica Pyles and Care Manager Kayla Anderson for your years of support to Doug and his family.

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Community: Father Dave Beaudry, Sandi and Jim Fitzgerald and their family, Bryan Krejcarek, JoAnn Krejcarek, Bill and Judy Heinzen and their family, Sister Marlita Hensala, and all the members who always opened their hearts to welcoming Douglas into the St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Community.

Sister Natalie Binversie, of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. Thank you for all your years of tender loving care and special concert tickets for Doug.

Manitowoc Coffee: Terri, Pete, Michelle, Doc and others for making Doug's weekly visits special.

Holy Family Memorial Wellness Center Staff: Maddie, Lissa, Janet, Katie, Megan, Ben, and Tony for helping Douglas and laughing at his jokes.

Dr. Sam Ballard, Holy Family Memorial Lakeside: Thank you for your truly caring heart and compassionate care you have always given Douglas, especially in these last weeks of his life.

Holy Family Memorial Hospital: Thank you to the healthcare angels for your professional and compassionate care of Douglas while working in concert with Sharon Richardson Hospice.

Also, a special thank you to Judy Eiles, Chris Eiles, Connie Rysticken, Merrily Zimmer, Michelle Anderson, Joan and Ron Pratt, Missy Wanek, Joan and Kristin Loftis and Chaplain Nancy Twichell.