Born in Alberton, Montana on 12-31-21, Ed was the eldest son of Paul Oscar and Rose Brennan Zuelke. He attended Alberton schools, graduating as valedictorian in 1939. He received his undergraduate degree from University of Montana in Missoula and completed medical school in 1946 at the University of Chicago.

During his internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital, he met Inarose Ries, a student nurse. They were married in 1947 and spent the first two years of their life together in the Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Ed delivered about 1000 babies during his time in Kentucky.

Ed and Inarose returned to Portland and he opened his OB/GYN practice. He was well loved and had many loyal patients to whom he offered free OB care after their 5th child. Dr. Zuelke was on the staff of both Providence and St. Vincent’s hospitals, serving as the Chief of Staff at St. V’s in 1982. He was honored by St. Vincent’s Hospital in 1981 on the occasion of his 10,000 delivery.

Upon retirement in 1988 Dr. Zuelke and his wife traveled to Lesotho in Southern Africa to work in a small mission hospital. For 18 months Dr. Zuelke taught the student midwives and did all the obstetrics and gynecology and Inarose worked with the student nurses.

After their time in Africa, Ed and Inarose returned to Oregon and lived in Arch Cape and Warrenton. Ed enjoyed spending time with his 9 children and their spouses, his 22 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He was a talented photographer and loved his garden, especially his dahlias. He had a lifelong passion for golf, and was thrilled to shoot his age when he was 84.

A lifelong Catholic, Ed was proud of his work as Board President for Catholic Charities and Catholic Children’s Services, as well as his part in founding the Catholic Physician’s Guild and Oregon Right To Life. He also volunteered as a Birthright physician, at St. Andrews Medical Clinic and at Outside In. He was actively involved with Kiwanis of Cannon Beach and the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Inarose Ries Zuelke and his children: Paul (Betty) Zuelke, Diane (Craig) Erickson, Lynne (Andy) Magner, Bill (Val Hornburg) Zuelke, Rosemary (John) Fraine, Kathy (Dave) Turner, Janet (Forrest Babcock) Zuelke, Jeanne (Russ Albertson) Zuelke, and Susie (Rick Antles) Zuelke. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Eddie, Michael, T.J., Brian, Chris, Kimberly, Joe, Dan, Holly, Noelle, Chuck, Leah, Anna, Grant, Ernie, Jennie, Jay, Shayna, Teddy, Emily, Jake and Kelsey; his great-grandchildren: Sydney, Spencer, Jack, Kaela, Logan and Jessica, and sisters Shirley McCabe and Dahn Mizner. He was preceded in death by his brother Jack.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Zuelke’s memory can be made to Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation or Birthright of Portland.