MADISON - June Lynnette “Lynn” Zarnke, age 100, of Madison, Wis., passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at UW Health East Madison Hospital. She was born on February 10, 1924, in Wausau, Wis., the daughter of Wilbert and Irma (Pagel) Hanneman.

Lynn was a member of the Wausau High School Class of 1942. Upon graduation she joined the war effort, volunteering as a nursing aide at Wausau Memorial Hospital. During this time, she often worked a full shift at JCPenney and then spent many hours working at the hospital where she developed strong opinions about the way beds should be made and how to be of service to others. Later in life, Lynn was the office manager of Herberger’s Department Store and the Wausau Visiting Nurse Service.

She was preceded in death by husbands, Fred Gerlach and Martin “Marty” Zarnke; as well as her parents; and her brother, Richard Hanneman. After her marriage to Marty, in 1981, they retired to Bull Shoals and then Mountain Home, Ark., where they enjoyed the community they found at church and at square dancing. Lynn was also a long-time volunteer at Baxter Regional Hospital, accumulating several thousand hours of service.

Lynn is survived by her two sons, Timothy (Pamela) Swanson of Madison, Wis., and Richard (Cheryl) Swanson of Chicago, Ill.; three granddaughters, Evangeline Swanson (Toby Martin) of Madison, Suzanne (Camillo) Mariani of Blacksburg, Va., and Claire (Sutton Ashby) Swanson of Philadelphia, Pa.; and four great-grandchildren, Sofia, Caterina and Peter Mariani and Frederick Martin.

There will be no services or memorials, but please raise a brandy old-fashioned (sour, with olives) or a glass of Rhine wine in her memory. Interment will be at Restlawn Cemetery in Wausau.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002

June L. Zarnke

February 10, 1924 - January 18, 2025

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