RACINE – Phyllis F. Zelenski, 73, passed away in Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg on Sunday, July 4, 2021 from complications caused by Merkel cell carcinoma.

She was born in Cleveland, WI on November 5, 1947, the daughter of the late Dr. Arnold and Lucille (nee Krier) Feider.  She moved to Racine to attend Dominican College.  That is where she met Michael C. Zelenski.  They were married on a very snowy December 28, 1968 at St. Wendel Catholic Church in Cleveland, WI. They remained happily married until Michael preceded her in death on February 27, 2014.

Phyllis's vocation was teaching elementary school, first in Oak Creek and most recently at St. Lucy Catholic School until her retirement. While her children were young Phyllis took a break from formal teaching and enjoyed the varied social interactions that came with working as a cashier at Piggly Wiggly for over 20 years.  During these years much time was devoted to teaching her children at home and helping them participate in activities like cub scouts, sports, and theatre.

She was a long-time member of St. Edward, and later, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Churches.  She loved spending her social life participating in various clubs, including, American Association of University Women (AAUW), stitchery, quilting and book clubs.  She was a fabulous quilter and enjoyed using her sewing skills to repair clothing for friends and family.  Phyllis enjoyed traveling, both to the familiar places where family lived as well as the adventure of a new country. In her last years she was planning to visit Luxembourg, a desire that grew when she reclaimed her citizenship there. With nudging from her house full of boys, Phyllis came to love nature and animals, especially spending time at the cabin she built with Mike on the Chippewa Flowage where she especially loved to kayak.  She also enjoyed watching the birds that would nest and feed in the yard of her Racine home.

She is survived by her sons, John (Cheryl Harasymchuk) Zelenski, William (April) Zelenski and Paul (Amy) Zelenski; her siblings: Carol (Richard) Gross, Dr. Robert (Margaret) Feider, Dr. Dennis (Barbara) Feider, Dr. Bruce (Roxanne) Feider; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mary Beth Feider, Robert (Mary Ann) Zelenski, Richard Zelenski, William Weiss and Phyllis Zelenski; as well as many nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents and husband, Phyllis was preceded in death by her brother, Arnold and her nephew, Joe Feider.

Family and friends are invited to meet at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (6400 Spring Street) on Friday, JULY 23, 2021 , for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.   The celebration of her life and funeral Mass will follow at 12:00 p.m.  One of Phyllis's last requests was that everyone in attendance be vaccinated to keep everyone safe at her funeral.  Memorials have been suggested to St. Paul's and St. Lucy's to have Masses for Phyllis and Michael or to a charity of one's choice that would honor her memory.

Service Details

Family and friends are invited to meet at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (6400 Spring Street) on Friday, JULY 23, 2021 , for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

The celebration of her life and funeral Mass will follow at 12:00 p.m.

One of Phyllis's last requests was that everyone in attendance be vaccinated to keep everyone safe at her funeral.

The Visitation, Mass, Interment, and Reception will be available on zoom by the family. (the funeral home will not have the ability to assist with issues logging on or technical difficulties)

Visitation 10am-12pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81133890546?pwd=YlIvTHJzc0dkNXRybHNXY2toME15QT09

Funeral 12pm – approx 1pm: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulracine

Burial after Funeral (approx 2pm): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81133890546?pwd=YlIvTHJzc0dkNXRybHNXY2toME15QT09

Meal after burial (approx. 3pm): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81133890546?pwd=YlIvTHJzc0dkNXRybHNXY2toME15QT09

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