Frank Zahner lived a full and happy life of 96 years. He was born in San Bernardino, California, on April 2, 1925, to Nell and Max Zahner, the youngest of three children. When he was 4, his family moved back to Modale, Iowa where they operated the family farm. Frank graduated from Modale High School in 1942. As a 17 year old, he attended Creighton University in Omaha. At 18, he transferred to the Merchant Marine Academy, in Kings Point, NY. Frank joined the war effort in 1944. As a Merchant Marine, he traveled the world on ships delivering goods and equipment crucial to the war effort.

In 1949, he married Jean Johnson from Logan, Iowa. They started their life as farmers near Scranton, Iowa where they raised their 4 daughters. After 27 years of farming, they decided to make a life change and sold the farm. In 1976 they moved to Kennewick, Washington where he lived a semi-retired life of buying and selling real estate and assisting his elderly aunt and uncle.

After 34 years, their marriage ended and in 1983 he married Shirley Lind Stangvik. Frank and Shirley lived on Whidbey and Camano Islands, with winters spent in Green Valley, AZ and Kona, Hawaii. They enjoyed international travel sparked by his experience during WWII. He loved risk-taking, even when playing bridge and investing in land.

His heritage was Swiss and Irish, so he never met a stranger. Anywhere he went, he would strike up a friendly conversation.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Shirley Zahner, her children Erik and Heidi, and her 2 granddaughters. He is also survived by his four daughters, Christine, Mary, Teresa, LeeAnn, his 3 sons in law, 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, all of whom loved him dearly.

In Lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity.

A graveside service for Frank will be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 2:00PM at Anderson Cemetery in Stanwood. Reception to follow.