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
Memorial Suggestions
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.
Order Flowers from Family Selected Florists
Miller's Flowers
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.
Gwen Thompson says
My Condolences to everyone
Working with Phyllis was awesome
We always had something to laugh about
I helped her at St. Rita’s and she showed my son the difference animals at the house
I will truly miss that smile
Test in heaven Phyllis
Patti Santarelli says
Phyllis was a wonderful friend and coworker I am very sad and will miss her
Pat WidmIer says
Sending sympathies.
Susan (Wolff) Campbell says
Phyllis was a colleague and great friend of mine from St. Lucy. I will miss her listening ear and willingness to be there for anyone who needed her. Her former students will miss her as well.
Debbie, Ken, and Katie Jurkiewicz says
She will be greatly missed. She tutored our daughter Katie up until Covid hit. Thanks for all the wonderful things you have done and taught everyone. R.I.P. you truly were a sweetheart!! <3
Mary Adams says
I appreciated Phyllis’ love of travel and her visit to Florida. She wrote beautiful personal notes to those she was thinking of.
Alice G Brown says
Bruce and family,my deepest sympathy on the loss of your sister. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Clara & Donald Pappenfuss says
Our condolences to Phyllis’ Sons and families!! She was my son Gregory’s, favorite teacher at St Lucys!!! May she Rest in Peace with her Beloved Mike 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Bodven Helen says
We exchanged “Pen Pals” in our classrooms between St. Lucy and Union Grove Elementary students! Then we took buses and met each other at a Park for a picnic! She WAS ALWAYS A SPECIAL PERSON to work with❤️❤️
Lynette Powers says
I met Phyllis after retirement from teaching in Kenosha. She was involved in many of the same activities as me. She was fun to be around and taught me how to do cross stitching in the AAUW craft group. She never gave up on me with my many mistakes. I enjoyed being around her, her smile, and words of wisdom. She became a dear friend and was always helping others. Craft group, book club & learning new games will never be the same without her.
Thanks, Phyllis for everything!!
Lynette Powers says
I met Phyllis after my retirement from teaching in Kenosha. She was involved in many of the same activities as me. She was fun to be around and taught me how to do cross stitching in the AAUW craft group. She never gave up on me with my many mistakes. I enjoyed being around her. Her smile was always warm & kind. She offered me many pearls of wisdom. over the 6 years we hung out. She became a dear friend and was always helping others.
Thanks, Phyllis for everything!!
Libby Cape says
To Bruce and family,
I’m sending my deepest condolences on the loss of Phyllis. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I was a patient of Bruce’s.
Mary Eileen Whelan says
I remember the day we met–first day of high school. You were my best friend for the next 4 years. So many memories of you. Like your wedding in that blizzard! And bringing your boys for a visit with us in Philadelphia. I wish we could have had more time…you were a goo d friend. I am so sorry for your family.
Heidi u. Josef Rosnak says
In lovely memories from burgenland, dörfl
Martina Holzinger says
Sending sympathies from Austria to Paul, my ex-colleague in brgop.
Barb Steltenpohl and Andy and Matt Marshall says
Phyllis was the epitome of a kind and gentle woman. Our boys all went to St. Edwards together. Our condolences to John, Bill and Paul on the loss of your sweet mom.
Jennifer Hernandez says
Phyllis was one of the most kind, warm and giving people I have known. I am grateful to have met her. I have many good memories of Thanksgivings in Colorado and trying to play online games on Zoom and I cherish her hand-made, knitted gifts. Sending our love, thoughts, prayers and sympathies to you all from the Hernandez family.
steve feider says
Phyllis, may you rest in peace with your parents and brother Arnold. I have fond memories of both you and my other cousins at the family reunions at J.P.’s.