John G. "Hans" Zoerb was born in 1903 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. When he was three years old, his parents returned to Giessen, Germany, where his father managed the family business. Hans lived there for six years, which is where he completed his first three years of school. After graduating from the University of Illinois, Hans married Isabella Berck on November 7, 1926. Hans was president of La Crosse Floral from 1949-1971.

Zoerb started collecting Oktoberfest memorabilia when he was Festmaster in 1969. His collection includes photographs, buttons, and steins. Scrapbooks for each year, created by Zoerb, include pictures, newspaper clippings, and other print documents. Zoerb was very active in the community. He attended many parades and activities associated with Oktoberfest well into his '90s. One of his favorite activities was speaking to groups, especially children, about Oktoberfest's origins and the celebration that takes place in La Crosse every year.