Burton Keith Zielinski Sr.

1941 ∼ 2021

Burton Keith Zielinski Sr.
Burton “Burt” Zielinski, Sr. 79, of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at Hospice Alliance Hospice House, Pleasant Prairie, WI. He was born to Cyril Edward and Ethel (Merrill) Zielinski on June 22, 1941 in Green Bay, WI. Due to his father’s work, the family moved often while Burt was growing up. He attended many different schools until his family came to Kenosha when he was in sixth grade, and they stayed. On September 7, 1963, at the Zion Christian Catholic Church (now called Christ Community Church) in Zion, IL, Burt was united in marriage to Janis “Jan” Magden. They were blessed with 57 years of love, kindness, raising their family and making beautiful memories together. After four years of marriage, Burt designed and did most of the construction on their family home. They have enjoyed living in it for over 53 years. Burt was a very talented woodworker and enjoyed making things for friends and family. His latest interest included turning pens and wooden ornaments on his lathe. He also enjoyed helping his adult children, neighbors and others with some of their construction projects. Burt became a journeyman sheet metal worker and worked for a number of companies in Kenosha. In 1980 he went to work for Abbott Laboratories. There, he worked on their HVAC systems and completed many stainless steel projects. He retired from Abbott in 1999. Burt enjoyed traveling and also fishing. Besides traveling around the “lower 48” states, he and Jan made many trips to Alaska for about 20 years to fish and visit with their son and his family while their son lived there. Burt also had a “green thumb.” He did all of their landscaping and also enjoyed growing flowers and plants, both outside and inside, especially orchids. Due to COVID, Burt missed seeing the wonderful nurses and friends he had made at Froedtert Kenosha Hospital’s Cardio Rehab. In addition to his wife Jan, Burt is survived by his son, Burton Keith Zielinski, Jr. of Milton Freewater, OR and his daughter, Laura Lee Zielinski of Kenosha, WI. He is also survived by his grandson, Gunnar Edward Zielinski of Tukwila, WA and Gunnar’s mother Nancy Stacy of Walla Walla, WA. Burt is also survived by his brother Cyril Lee Zielinski, of Racine, WI; brother-in-law Charles Michael (Carol) Magden of Waukegan, IL; and many nieces and nephews, and also great-nieces and great-nephews. Burt was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dennis Zielinski, sister Sandra Kotz, and half-brothers Ken and Richard Davis and half-sister Delores Davis. Burt had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and we can picture him tending to God’s flowers in Heaven. Burt, you will be DEEPLY MISSED BUT ALWAYS REMEMBERED IN OUR HEARTS. Our sincere thanks to Dr. Shepler and Dr. Kreager and their staffs for their many years of compassionate care. We also thank the staff at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital and Hospice Alliance Hospice House for their kindnesses and excellent care. Due to COVID, a private memorial service will be held at a future time. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Burt’s name would be appreciated to one of his favorite charities, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4-8Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th Street Kenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit & Sign Burt’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com

Condolences

paul schackmuth February 12, 2021
Burt, we always enjoyed stopping over at your lovely house and chatting with you and Jan. You always felt loving and warm and welcoming. Thank you for your wisdom about life and family, and for your work that you did at my mom's house next door over the years, like roofing and kitchen floors, and furnace problems. You were a good neighbor to us and the neighborhood. Your yard was the nicest. You always seemed to have a fresh idea on landscaping. What a green thumb. Our condolences to Jan and family. Take care. We love you both. Paul and Carmen Schackmuth. Cottage Grove, MN.
kristine Schmaling January 28, 2021
I was so sad to hear of Burt's illness and then passing. I loved having him in my cardiac rehab class. We laughed a lot and I just loved talking with him. He was always happy. His joy of making pens and ornaments spread throughout our gym and he soon became a giver of his gifts to our Heart Walks and my personal fundraisers. What a blessing he was to us. He will be missed ! And I will miss his talkative nature and love for life. Kristine Schmaling (his RN in rehab)
Dottie Kozak January 28, 2021
Jan, So very sorry to hear about Burt passing away. Wishing you and your family comfort and peace. Take care.Dottie Kozak
Pat Davis January 25, 2021
We have been blessed with the privilege of having Burt be a part of our lives. We have enjoyed many years of friendship, fun, laughter and adventures. We loved playing Pinochle (Burt would always Open) and Phase Ten. We celebrated many family birthdays, graduations and weddings. At weddings it was a special moment when during the Couples Dance, Burt and Jan would be the last couple dancing, signifying they were married the longest - a true testament of their wonderful relationship. Burt was a true artist in designing and creating the most beautifully landscaped yard which we refer to as "The Zielinski Park". Some of our fondest memories include camping at Governor Dodge, trips to Door County, St. Louis, Lake of the Ozarks, and Ely, MN where we fished, canoed, saw the Northern Lights, and we will never forget the "Echo Trail". Burt was amazingly lucky. He always found the best deals, which we still refer to as "Burt Deals". At casinos you could point to random slot machines and Burt would play them and always Win, and then he would say "Ah people, what can I say". It is comforting to know that Burt is now on an amazing adventure in Heaven. Jan, Keith, Lorie, Gunner, Nancy and Giles, we are looking forward to celebrating Burt with you in person very soon.Love, Jeff and Patty Davis
Melanie Sheforgen January 24, 2021
Sadly Burt will be missed by the Sheforgen family. We so enjoyed gathering together at Christmas when that was possible. He was a great guy who always had a good story to share and a smile on his face. Love, Melanie and Jerry
Cmaureenkulas@hotmail.com January 23, 2021
Jan, Keith, Lorrie and Gunner,Burt was a very kind, thoughtful and caring husband, father and grandfather. I heard so many wonderful things about Burt and what he did with each of you and the many happy times you all had together. He was a ver good man. God bless you all. Carol and Ken Kulas
Michael Smithh January 23, 2021
I remember running into Burt an Jan Walking hand in hand in a store. His heart was full of love and kindness.
Cindy Nyberg January 23, 2021
We had the pleasure of having you as our neighbor for 37 years. 37 years for us but a lifetime for Eric. You were not just our neighbor - you were family. You truly were so kind and helpful...always! We could never thank you enough for all of your help, knowledge and talent. Every day chores and projects were just easier with "Burt" around. We could honestly thank you on a daily basis. Our lives will not be the same without you here. So we will miss our dear friend and honorary "Grandpa" to Eric. It was a pleasure and honor to have known and love you Burt...With our love,Jeff, Cindy and Eric Nyberg