Maxine Zielinski

BEAVER DAM/MADISON - Maxine Zielinski was called home on Jan. 9, 2024, surrounded with love, care, thoughts and prayers from her family and friends. She was 88 years old. Maxine lived a full and blessed life as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sibling, and daughter. Family was everything to her and raising three children (Janean, Renee and Sean) with her late husband Ronald was the joy of her life. She was loving, caring, and a role model as they became parents themselves.

For 26 years, Maxine and Ron were owners of Maxine’s Gift Shop in Beaver Dam, Wis. Throughout its run, Maxine had a special knack for spotting collectible trends -- including being among the first in Wisconsin to sell Beanie Babies from the beginning and throughout the height of its craze in the 90s. The front window of Maxine’s Gift Shop was a downtown fixture during the holidays and special occasions. She cherished the best friends she and Ron made through the store.

She loved sharing countless stories and memories of lessons and experiences growing up in a close-knit family with four brothers and five sisters. She remained close with her siblings all her life, even travelling with her sisters on annual epic trips to Alaska, Cape Cod, Arizona, Germany, Poland and more. Coined by her brother, the six sisters were affectionately known as the “six-pack to go.”

Maxine was a proud cheerleader for her grandchildren’s sporting events in Verona, Waukesha, McFarland or wherever they would play. She loved to attend the football and basketball games, tennis matches, and track meets. Among her favorite joys was watching and hearing about their accomplishments. Maxine also loved flowers, puzzles, and Mahjong games with friends. She was known for her luck in cards, at Scrabble, and for a winning streak at the casino that defied the odds.

Maxine will be greatly missed by the family and friends she held dear throughout her life. She will be remembered as someone who loved to smile and laugh, was kind, loving and always saw a silver lining on every cloud.

Maxine is survived by her children, Janean (Mark) Ballweg, Renee (Tom) Zadra and Sean (Megan) Zielinski; grandchildren, Kayla Huettl, Kyle (Allie) Huettl, Ellie Zielinski, Cole Zielinski, Mitch Zadra, Kathleen Zadra, Travis Zadra and Treyton Zadra; great-grandchildren, Maverick Huettl and Aubree Huettl; siblings, Janet Swanson, Barbara (John) Kaminski, Kenneth (Bev) Rogowski, Diane Narum, John (Jo) Rogowski, Dan (Debbie) Rogowski, and Mary Kay Miller.  She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Lottie Rogowski; husband, Ronald (2000); siblings, Robert Rogowski and Margie Nelson; and granddaughter, Trina Zadra.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 12 noon on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday. Burial will be private at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam.

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

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420