Harlan David Zier

Harlan David Zier, 83, was born in Gering, Nebraska on November 19, 1938, to David and Katherine (Kling) Zier. He died at Richardson Methodist Hospital on Friday, April 29, 2022, from complications related to a recent surgery.

Born and raised on a farm in Gering, Nebraska, Harlan grew up with many of his cousins living nearby. His fond childhood memories lasted his entire life. As a 1956 graduate of Gering High School, Harlan married his high school sweetheart, Midge Tjardes and moved to Denver, CO to begin a new life and a family.

In 1957, data processing was in its infancy and Harlan began what would be a 37-year career by taking a job with Martin Marietta, in Denver. In 1971, with 14 years under his belt, he became a member of a seven-person team sent by Martin Marietta to assist Lennox Industries in setting up their own data center at their corporate headquarters. The Zier family moved to Marshalltown, Iowa and within a short while, Harlan became a Lennox employee.

In 1978, Lennox moved its corporate headquarters to Richardson, Texas. Harlan and his Information Systems Department played a large role in planning and moving the data center from Marshalltown, 800 miles south to the Promenade Bank tower in Richardson, Texas. His family, along with many other dedicated Lennox families, moved their lives with the corporate headquarters to the Dallas area where they reside today.

Harlan became a CiCi’s Pizza franchise owner in 1994, buying his first CiCi’s at Campbell and Nantucket in Richardson. Over the next 28 years, he would own and operate 12 restaurants in the Dallas and Wichita, Kansas areas with family members and friends.

Harlan was a faithful member of Richardson Heights Baptist Church, “The Heights” for 44 years! He was always a dedicated supporter and servant. Over the years, he took on many roles and jobs as he established life-long and eternal friendships in his loving church family.

During the last year of Harlan’s life, he and his dachshund buddy, Rex, have been residents of Solstice Senior Living Center, in Plano, Texas. Harlan could be seen zipping around Solstice and the trails nearby on his red scooter, playing bingo, putting together puzzles, and socializing with everyone! He enjoyed getting to know the other residents, staff, nurses, and pastor. His family is VERY grateful to Solstice for their part in his life.

Harlan is proceeded in death by his parents, and his wife, Midge Zier of 57 years.

“PaHarlan” will be deeply missed by the following immediate family members: His brother, Lou Zier and wife Bev, of Denver, CO., his four children, Karen Zier Stanton and husband Ted, of Plano, TX; Michael Zier and wife Robyn, of Southlake, TX; Jay Zier and wife Tammy, of McKinney, TX; and Kandi Zier Patak and husband Bernard, of Plano, TX; his 10 grandsons, Jordan Zier and wife, Krista, Landon Zier and wife, Brittany, Zachary Zier, Hayden Zier, Nathaniel Stanton, Preston Patak and wife Kerigan, Jacob Zier, Jackson Patak, Nicholas Stanton, and Grayson Patak; and two great granddaughters, Caroline and Madeline Zier.

A memorial service to celebrate Harlan’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2022, at The Heights, 201 West Renner Road, Richardson, TX 75080.

Faith, Family, Friends, and Nebraska Football!!! “GO BIG RED!”