Photo courtesy of HILDEBRAND - RUSS FUNERAL HOME - Rhinelander
Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Jul 23, 1950 – Feb 13, 2026
Nina Susan Panek
July 23, 1950 ~ February 13, 2026
Age ~ 75
Nina Susan Panek, age 75, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of February 13, 2026.
Nina was born on July 23, 1950, in Chicago, IL to Roman Sanchez and Betty Brown. Nina is survived by her husband of 55 years, Zenon John Panek. Her children, Lisa (Tim) Haseltine and Bryan (Rosemary) Panek. Her grandchildren, Alyssa (Haseltine) Heishman, Alex Haseltine, Ryan Haseltine, Nathan Panek, and Olivia Panek. Plus great-grandchildren, Rhydan Haseltine Riggio and Sutton Haseltine Hebert, her brother, Ron (Bonnie) Sanchez, and sisters, Rose Malloy and Betty Ashley. She had 4 brothers and sisters (Pat Hurlburt, Linda Warnke, Michael Lucas, and Wally Ericson) who preceded her in death.
Nina and Zenon were married on June 20, 1970. They purchased a modest home in Oak Forest, IL in 1972. She was a stay-at-home mom for about 8 years after which she reentered the work force. She held several administrative and middle management positions before becoming the Manager of Secretarial Services for a prominent downtown Chicago law firm from which she retired after 20 years in August 2005.
Nina and Zenon purchased a waterfront home in Rhinelander, WI on the Wisconsin River in 2003 and moved there from the southwest suburbs (Homer Glen, IL) of Chicago in November of 2005. She quickly adapted to the Northwoods lifestyle and environment. She loved to fish and to enjoy the beautiful fall colors of the area. In June 1995 she discovered that she loved cruises and sailed on 15 of them during her lifetime. Her other love was playing the slot machines at which she was always lucky and walked away with cash in hand. Nina's best talent was in the kitchen where she would create bountiful meals for the entire family during holidays, birthdays and other special occasions. Her specialty was a bounty of snacks and finger food for a crowd of our friends to enjoy while watching the Super Bowl.
Nina has always been a big part in this family's life and her passing created a void that can never be filled. We are all heartbroken that we will never again see her smiling face, hear her voice, her laugh or her sarcasm. We all very deeply loved our "Ni", "Baby", “Mom” and "Nana".
NINA'S WORLD, A video tribute:
https://yout.be/-7Ogbys8le8?si=o5WPyp8SWIB_9cs2
Also, see more pictures of Nina here: ↷
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I’m sorry for your loss. My memory was with I was little we went food shopping and was blown away on all the food and snack. Her awesome gifts of sewing and decorating. She tried to teach me how to knit and to make ribbons . Love you always.
Love your niece Lori
Lori Nieves
February 27, 2026 | Aurora, CO
Cheri Brown love u forever
Rosalind Banchak love u sis forever
Cheri Brown
February 26, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV | Family
We will surely miss our dear and long time friend Nina! Miss all the great memories we shared together. Their is a great void in all our lives forever. You have joined many family members, friends and loved ones who left before us all! Love and miss you always Nina!
Phil & (Dee dee) Alcantara
February 18, 2026 | Porter, TX | Friend
Nina was the best and most wonderful friend. Beautiful, smart, so very generous and caring and talented in cooking and hospitality. We grew up together and supported each other.
We laughed, we cried, we enjoyed a lifelong friendship.
She was a special person and I loved her and will miss her greatly.
Sandy Schultz
February 17, 2026 | Gilbert, AZ | Friend