Jeanne Zahalka

Jeanne Ruth (Venne) Zahalka Jeanne Zahalka, 85, peacefully went to Heaven, October 4, 2012. She was born October 25, 1926 in Racine, WI, to Russell and Ruth (Zenner) Venne. She graduated from St. Catherine’s High School and attended the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse. On August 27, 1949 Jeanne married Donald W. Zahalka. She and her husband moved to Oshkosh, WI in 1954. Jeanne was a member of the Serra Club, UW-Oshkosh Faculty Dames, St. Peter Aquinas Club and enhanced her education by attending Elderhostel classes at many universities. She was a Cub Scout and Campfire Girl leader. She enjoyed music and performance and was a part of Community Player Theater and the Senior Choir. Jeanne was an inspiration to all in her commitment to protect unborn children through her work in Wisconsin Right to Life. She was a member of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish participating as a choir member and then a lecturer. An avid sports fan she enjoyed attending Lourdes High School and UW-O athletic events as well as watching the Packers, University of Notre Dame football, and the Brewers. Jeanne was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She liked spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Jeanne is survived and will be deeply missed by many including her husband Don, daughter Donna (Tad) Harvey, Sturgeon Bay, WI; sons James (Catherine Ryner) Zahalka, Brooklyn, WI; John Zahalka, Boy River, MN; and Richard (Joan) Zahalka, Tony, WI. Grandchildren, Shannon (Chris) Greisen, Heather Harvey, Elizabeth (Jeremy) Schartner, Nathan Zahalka, Olivia Zahalka, Mercedes Rhoads, Jaime Zahalka, Jared (Autumn) Zahalka, Jennifer Zahalka, Tom (Lindsey) Zahalka, Zachary (Jane) Zahalka, and Luke Zahalka; Great- grandchildren Michaela, Hannah, Patrick, Andrew, Oliver, Vania, Jordan, Mikah, Nova, and Chancey; Sibilings Claire (Richard) Gavigan, Palatine, IL, Fr. Thomas Venne, Milwaukee, and Judith (Steve) Ballard, Milwaukee; In-laws Betty Zahalka, Racine, WI and William Zahalka, Racine, WI; special family Luul (Tekle Sebhatue) Ghebrednghil; and many nieces and nephews. Her parents, brother Fr. Douglas Venne, and sister Germaine Kesser preceded her in death. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church 435 High Street, Oshkosh at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2012, with Father Tom Venne presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday. A luncheon will follow. The Zahalka Family would like to thank the staff at Evergreen Retirement Community for the compassionate care provided Jeanne during her last days. Donations in her honor may be made to Wisconsin Right to Life. To view and sign the guestbook, please visit: www.fissbillspoklasny.com Fiss and Bills Poklasny Funeral Home and Crematory 920 235-1170

Jeanne Zahalka

October 25, 1926 - October 13, 2012

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