Jenele Rae Zitzner

Jenele Rae Zitzner, age 84, of Baraboo, passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2025 peacefully in her home. 

She was born on April 22, 1941 to Edna Mae (Rudser) and Raymond Erickson in La Crosse. She grew up in the township of Sterling and graduated from DeSoto High School in 1959. At a young age, Jenele was gifted a piano by her father, which fueled her lifelong love of music. She played the accordion and the guitar in a band with her cousins and brother for social clubs, fairs, and school functions. She was involved in numerous churches as an organist and pianist throughout her high school years. She attended and graduated from Luther College in Decorah, IA in 1963 and pursued a major in music, specifically keyboard and organ, and a minor in German. 

After graduating, she moved to Whitewater and was employed by the Whitewater School District as a music teacher. In 1965, while at Whitewater, Jenele reunited with her high school sweetheart Merlin Zitzner, who was in need of an accompanist for a college music credit. Jenele and Merlin were married July 30, 1966. After Whitewater, Jenele and Merlin moved to Libertyville, IL. While there, she taught for the Libertyville School District as a music teacher and played organ, sang, and volunteered for the Libertyville Methodist Church. In 1972, Jenele and Merlin moved to Baraboo. During her time in Baraboo, she was a substitute teacher for the school districts of Spring Green and Sauk Prairie. 

In 1978, Jenele and Merlin welcomed a daughter, Tara. Jenele was a dedicated pianist and accompanist for Tara’s violin and oboe solos.  Jenele and Merlin enjoyed traveling to numerous countries, including France, Germany, England, among others, and visiting the Holy Lands. Her favorite times were spent with her grandson, Alex, who nicknamed her “Nana” in 1996. In her life, she was an integral part of the St. Clare Hospital Auxiliary Board, a long-time co-chair of the Circus of the Chefs, The Gala, a member of American Association of University Women, and volunteered her time and musical talents to numerous other organizations. She was a member of a morning bowling group named the Hummingbirds, multiple bridge groups, the Baraboo Country Club, and for many years, played organ, piano, and sang at the First United Methodist Church in Baraboo. 

Jenele is survived by her husband, Merlin; daughter, Tara (Tim) and grandson, Alexander. She is further survived by three step-grandsons, Ryan, Alexander, and Jamie Moy; her brother, Arlen (Mary) Erickson; brother-in-law, Tom Zitzner; sister-in-law, Martine (David) Fezler; numerous nieces and a special nephew Corey (Karla) Davis. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Gaynor and Marti Zitzner; brothers-in-law, Dave Gaynor, Howard Zitzner, and David Zitzner. 

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in Baraboo with Pastor Diana Lucas officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home in Baraboo and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be held following the service at Walnut Hill Cemetery. 

The family wishes to thank the staff of Brightstar, Agrace Hospice, and Maplewood Sauk Prairie for their caring support.