Gunther Johannes Karl Zenk

Gunther Johannes Karl Zenk died peacefully in Coquitlam, B.C., Canada, on December 17, 2024, at the age of 87. Gunther is survived by his wife Gisela Zenk, his sister Margarete Zenk, his son Gordon Zenk (Pamela), his daughter Greta Zenk Fiskum (Daniel) and his grandson Matthew Zenk (Delane). He is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Johannes Zenk and Hannelore Gades.

Gunther was born on March 20, 1937, at his family home in Schoeneworde, Germany. He attended school and then apprenticed as a barber and hair stylist in his teens. He immigrated to Canada at age 21, where he met Gisela, to whom he was married for 65 years, until his death.

Gunther continued to work as a hairstylist, first in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and then in Vancouver, British Columbia. Beginning in the late 1960s, he owned and operated his own hair salon, the University House of Beauty, in the West Point Grey neighborhood of Vancouver where he also made a home for his family. Gunther eventually became an examiner for the Hairdressers Association of British Columbia and traveled around the province administering exams to license applicants. He ultimately became chairman of the Board of Examiners and served in that capacity for many years.

One of Gunther’s great loves was singing. He was an enthusiastic member of MGV Lyra Choir, a German men’s choir. He participated in many rehearsals and concerts over the years. Gunther also loved to tell a joke, and even though he might have told the joke before, he repeated it with such enthusiasm that it was hard not to laugh again.

Gunther was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for many years. After his retirement he joined his wife and became active in the church bowling league.

There will be a private memorial service for the family. The family would like to thank the staff at Belvedere Care Center and Vancouver General Hospital for their support and help.