Eileen M. DeCleene

1947 - 2021

Eileen M. DeCleene

Green Bay - Eileen M. DeCleene, aged 73, passed away at a local hospital on June 28, 2021. The second of six children, Eileen was born on October 6, 1947, to the late Michael N. and Beatrice (Nighorn) Kane.

Eileen attended Annunciation grade school and Green Bay West High School. After graduation she worked in the administrative offices of Schneider National and always recalled the flurry of the monthend "close." Eileen had two sons, Mark and Dan Zirbel, whom she raised through all of life's ups and downs. Watching holiday specials and visiting the black bears at Bruemmer Park Zoo were among cherished family memories.

On May 17, 2003, Eileen married Peter DeCleene. Pete impressed her with his wide range of honey-do talents and attention to detail, and Eileen privately admitted she was spoiled. Together they loved being with their families, traveling in all directions across the country, dining out and watching Jeopardy. They always had fun.

After her father's death, Eileen picked up his genealogy project and hunted down elusive details for the family tree. A talented craftswoman and budding artist, Eileen spent many happy hours taking painting classes and using the quilting construction lab at the Kewaunee Artisan Center. The quilts in her home studio were breathtaking, and she displayed some of them at exhibitions. A quilted gift from Eileen was always special because of the care she took selecting just the right fabrics for the recipient.

Eileen is survived by her husband, Pete; sons Mark and Dan Zirbel; stepchildren: Joe (Tara) DeCleene, Molly (Andy) Senechal, and Chris DeCleene; siblings: Terry (Tom) Stansfield, Les Kane, Barbara (Patrick Blaser) Kane; sisters- and brothers-in-law: Susan Kane, Al (Diane) DeCleene, Richard (Joan) DeCleene, Alice (Tom) Janquart, Barbara DeCleene, and Marilyn (Mont) Martin; eight step-grandkids and nieces and nephews; and her childhood friends, "the Kust girls."

She was further preceded in death by her parents; two siblings, Michael ("Mick") Kane and Jean Mathiesen; and her mother-in-law, Lillimae DeCleene.

Friends may call at Newcomer-Green Bay Chapel (340 S. Monroe Avenue), Friday, July 9, starting 10:00 A.M. until a memorial service at noon. Burial later that day at the Allouez Catholic Cemetery.