Ellen Carol Zernicke, age 81, of Cecil, passed away peacefully at Bellin Hospital on July 03, 2021.  Ellen was born June 09, 1940, in Green Bay WI.  She was the daughter of Carl and Elda (Huebsher) Krueger.  Ellen attended kindergarten in Green Bay and then moved to Advance, WI where she attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse for all eight grades.   Ellen graduated from Bonduel High School in 1958 where she met many of her lifelong friends.  Ellen also served as Co-Editor of the High School Yearbook and was also voted to be on the Homecoming court.  After High School Ellen married the love of her life Wally Zernicke on October 11, 1958, at St Paul Lutheran Church in Bonduel WI.  Together Ellen and Wally ran a successful dairy farm in Advance, WI.  During their time on the farm Ellen and Wally raised three sons Gregory, Wade and Ryan.  Ellen and Wally were married for 61 years and were together 24/7.

Ellen was a devoted homemaker, loving wife and supportive mother who always put family first.  She was an excellent cook who learned to cook from scratch.  Some of her specialties were pineapple upside down cake, beef spareribs and sauerkraut, and her many hot dishes.  Ellen had a love for horses and learned to ride as a young girl.   She often spoke of "High Hat", her favorite Tennessee Walking Horse.  With all her duties as a homemaker Ellen still had time to babysit for some of the local neighbor kids, breed and sell Pomeranian puppies and help with many of the boys 4-H projects.

Ellen and Wally enjoyed 18 years of retirement together at their beautiful riverfront home in Pulcifer WI. Ellen enjoyed lunches on the dock by the river, taking care of her dog "Vince" and entertaining her many visitors, such as, her sons, grandchildren, and friends.

Ellen is survived in death by her three sons Greg and (Dawn) Zernicke of Marshfield, Wade and (Jane) Zernicke of Green Bay, Ryan and (Debbie) Zernicke of Cecil.  Ellen has five grandchildren Luke, Jake and Caleb Zernicke and Zachery and Amber Zernicke.  She is also survived by her brother Jim (Noreen) Krueger of Reston, VA.

In addition to her parents, Ellen was preceded in death by her husband Wally.

Services will be held at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano, on Tuesday July 6 ^th at 11:00 am. A private graveside service will be held at a later date with interment at Memorial Park Cemetery in Advance, WI. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am at the funeral home on Tuesday until the time of service.

We would like to thank the staff at Bellin Hospital who cared for Ellen during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, please make out all monetary donations to the to St. Paul Lutheran School in Bonduel WI or the Shawano Humane Society.