Otto Rudolph Zrenner's Obituary
Otto Rudolph Zrenner, age 85, of Parma, Ohio, passed away November 15, 2022 in the hospital after a short illness. Otto was born to the late Otto and Martha Zrenner on July 30, 1937 in Cleveland, Ohio. He served in the United States Marine Corp from 1956 to 1959, and served in Marine Corps Reserves through 1962. Otto worked at and retired from Cleveland Cap Screw where he met his wife, Maryann. They married March 22, 1975.
Otto was always known to drive a Buick. He loved planting vegetables in his backyard gardens…his specialty seemed to be tomatoes, kohlrabi and zucchini! There was always quite the abundance of those. He also enjoyed working in his yard and planting flower gardens. Otto owned a boat, named Snickle-Fritz, which was docked at Cedar Point Marina and then East Harbor State Park Marina. This boat was his pride and joy. He and Maryann drove out to the marina nearly every weekend in the summer, even just to putz around the boat. They would frequently stop for peaches and then a cone at the ice cream stand near the marina. They also enjoyed visiting the deer petting zoo near Sandusky. Otto was a member at Pleasant Hills United Methodist Church where he served as an usher for a period of time and participated with the Church Lights Outreach Ministry.
Along with boating and gardening, Otto’s hobbies included taking care of his aquarium, feeding the birds, watching and attending Cleveland Indians games, fishing for walleye and watching fishing shows, westerns and Hallmark Christmas movies that involved animals.
Otto had many pets over the years. He rescued cats wandering the neighborhood. He had a huge heart for animals. He and Maryann had raised a number of collies over the years as well as Bichons. At one point they had 3 or 4 cats and 3 dogs all at one time.
For many years, Otto’s focus was taking care of Maryann and her many health issues. His devotion to her was like no other. After her heart transplant, he dedicated his life to taking the best care of her…there were many days and nights spent at the hospital, countless doctor visits and very early morning dialysis appointments 3-4 times per week. His dedication was commendable.
Otto was preceded in death by his wife, Maryann, in 2014, his parents Otto and Martha Zrenner, his brothers Kurt (Dorothy) Zrenner, Gunther (Lucille) Zrenner and sister Rita (Al) Fleisher. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his stepsons John (Cindy) Kraus, Ralph Kraus and Alan (Anitra) Kraus, and his grandchildren: Melissa (Shane) Garrett, Melody (Dan) Cramer, Rachel (Ryan) Zusy, Sarah Frischmann and many great-grandchildren, his special friend, Janice Zak and his niece and nephews.
A luncheon will be held in his honor on Saturday, January 21st, 2023 at 11:30am at Pleasant Hills United Methodist Church 13200 Bagley Rd., Middleburg Hts., OH 44130. Please bring an item(s) for the local animal shelters to be donated in Otto’s name.
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