Ross Alan Zaeske

Ross Alan Zaeske

Holiday, Fla.

Ross Alan Zaeske, 64, of Holiday, Fla., formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.

Visitation and services were held on Friday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m. EST at Brandon Cremation & Funeral Services, 621 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon, FL 33510.

Ross is survived by his wife, Melissa O’Donnell; children, Matthew (Kristin Scheve), Karl (Faith) and Stevie Zaeske; stepchildren, Gage Bowen, Siera Ferreira and Toni (Ashley Miller) Ferreira; grandchildren, Issac, Angelina, Jeremiah, Ariella, Aryanna and Skarlet; and sisters, Dana Nietert (Mark) and Cheryl VanDonslear (David).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Jeanette (Johnson) Zaeske.

Ross was born and lived in the Milwaukee area of Wisconsin where he enjoyed the first years of his life as a Packers fan. After a couple moves across country his parents settled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he graduated from George Washington Senior High School and attended the University of Iowa. He became an instant die-hard Hawkeyes fan during those years. He moved to Florida in his 20s, returned once for a while then headed back to the Sunshine State where he spent his entire career in restaurant management all over the Gulf area. He loved to cook and food was his specialty. He met the love of his life, Melissa, in Florida and embraced her children as his own. He also became an avid Bucs/Rays fan and knew his sports stats like no other. Ross was well-liked and loved due to his easygoing personality and respect for all people. He would give the shirt off his back (several times) to those who needed it, even when he didn’t have one. He will be missed by those he touched, and especially all of his children.

The family would like to thank all the care givers, nurses and doctors who kept Ross alive as long as they did given his health issues. He had some amazing teams who truly gave him nine lives!

Memorials may be made to the family on behalf of his grandchildren.