Carlene Grace
Zieloski
Carlene Grace Zieloski
(nee Johnson) Age 98, Carlene died on January 3, 2023. The former Carlene Johnson of Marinette, WI was married to Carlton for 63 years. She is survived by her dearest daughter Lynne Cheatham, dearest son Dennis (Janie) and a sister Phyllis of Ohio. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Erika (Joe) Arndt, John and Carley (Joe) Schallock, and her great-grands Kathleen and Alexandria Arndt. Further survived by her nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews as well as other relatives and friends. She considered her friends as family as they all were a great part of her life.
So many memories – when her kids were young, Carlene would put on a carnival in the summer and freeze the yard for skating in winter. There were times when Lynne’s friends were invited for her spaghetti lunch and they would always show up. Many of the kid’s friends would say that they “wished they had a Mom” like her.
Carlene loved parties and she hosted a Halloween party for her friends that looked so good to a friend of Dennis’ that he wanted to stay at the Zieloski’s party instead of going out for the evening.
Carlene had a great circle of friends which made for a rich social life. She always felt she had everything – a great family, great friends and great neighbors. What else is there? And while she knows she’ll be reunited with family who have gone before her, she sure hates to leave you all! But she wants to say “Thanks” to all of you who have helped her have such a wonderful life. May God Bless (as I have been).
She so looked forward to the visits from her sister and nieces and nephews and their kids. It was the highlight of her day to visit with them and was so grateful that they took the time to come and visit with her. She would talk about it for days.
Carlene filled her home with music and she loved to sing as she went about her daily tasks. She would put on her favorite music, Steve and Eydie and sing right along with them. She had a tin of buttons that was her tambourine. Her voice made the home a happy home. Dennis remembers hearing her sing when he would wake up each morning and said that was the best way to start the day.
She loved sunny days which matched her disposition. She enjoyed playing cards, dominoes, planning and attending parties (especially her ladies Christmas luncheon), scrap-booking, traveling, genealogy, reading and having an annual rummage sale for 40+ years. But most of all she loved, as she would say, “her little family.”
Carlene loved being a business woman and with her husband bought Beauté Land Salon in Bay View. It was more of an investment as neither one of them knew anything about hair. Carlton did the maintenance and Carlene did the payroll, taxes and everything else. She was in her glory.
Carlene both worried and loved her kids until the end. She would always say “I have the best kids,” but Lynne and Dennis would say that they had the Best Mom!
Visitation at Heritage Funeral Home, 4800 S. 84th Street, Greenfield on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 from 10:00 AM until the time of Funeral Services at 12:00 Noon. Private interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers if desired, memorials to the family are appreciated.
My deepest condolences for Carlene’s family. Carlene lived next door to my daughter, Rachel and son in law Scott. Whenever my husband and I came back to Wisc for a visit Carlene would always bring a sweet treat she had made for Bob. Her infectious laugh and zest for life was wonderful. She will be missed by all who knew her!
Our heartfelt sympathy to Lynne, Dennis, Janie and the rest of Carlene’s family.
We are heartbroken to hear about Carlene’s passing and are grateful that we were able to spend some time with her just before Christmas. That time was precious to us then and has even more significance now. Carlene and Carlton became much more than neighbors they became our adoptive family. Carlene watched our dogs and cats when we were gone and that is how I found out about her love of Sunkist fruit gems. As she so frequently stated that she started out with one and then finished them all off. I made it a point to find those year after year to add them to her birthday and Christmas gifts. We trusted her with our menagerie of pets and that speaks volumes. Carlene became my second mom after my mother passed away. She always had advice or words of support and comfort. She was a beacon of light, always smiling always happy and that is how we will remember her. I can still hear her laugh and we are devastated that she is gone. I felt she was invincible. I think Carlene’s assignment in heaven will be to head up the welcoming committee.
Celeste and Domonic