Carolyn F. Zernicke

Carolyn F. Zernicke, born on November 22, 1951, in La Grande, Oregon, was a beacon of love and warmth, whose life was a testament to the power of family and kindness. Carolyn, the beloved wife of Wallace Zernicke, passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve of 2025. She was a devoted homemaker and a cherished member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Her life was a living example of Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Carolyn's life was filled with a deep love for her family, her garden, and her kitchen. She nurtured every life she touched, just as she nurtured the beautiful flowers in her garden. An accomplished baker, Carolyn's love was often expressed through her delicious homemade treats. An avid reader, her curiosity and love for mystery and romance novels was as vast as her love for her family. Carolyn, passionate about camping, fishing, and country music, enjoyed traveling with her family, creating memories that will be cherished forever. Her dedication to her loved ones shone brightly in her rewarding work babysitting for others and caring for her family, a labor of love that brought her immense joy and satisfaction.

Carolyn is survived by her loving husband, Wallace Zernicke; her children, Tracy (Mark) Karpinski, Shawn (Charlotte) Zernicke, Jason (Tammy Vickers) Zernicke, Amanda (Kraig) Dotter, and Samantha (Robert) Krummel; her grandchildren; Daeye (Tyler) Cornish, Anthony (Ember) Dickens Jr., Tyler Karpinski, Destiny (Roger) Daniels, Zachary Karpinski, Gracie Dotter and Dalton Krummel; great grandson, Atticus Daniels; her siblings, Dale (Barbara) Nass, Christine Shebenik, Debra Nass and sister-in-law Debbie Nass; Martin (Joyce) Zernicke, Betty (Dennis) Metz, Lyle (Linda) Zernicke, Phil Olson, J.R. Barttelt, and Lori Zernicke. Her spirit continues to live on through her many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Rueben Nass and Diana Long and stepfather Marvin Long, her sisters, Nancy Parker and brother Calvin Nass; brothers-in-law David Hilber and Tony Schebenik, Wally's parents, Maynard and Ruth Zernicke; her brothers-in-law, LeRoy Zernicke, Gary Zernicke, sisters-in-law Mary Barttelt, Carol Olson and Deanna Zernicke, and her nephew, Scott Zernicke

The family will receive friends and family on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 3:00 pm CST to 7:00pm at the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Center located at 2201 Chestnut Street, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, 54494 and again on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 10:00 am CST at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 311 14th Avenue South, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, 54495. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 am CST at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church with burial to follow the service at Big Hill Cemetery in Berlin, Wisconsin near Wausau.

The service will also be live-streamed and available to watch at https://my.gather.app/remember/carolyn-zernicke.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Aspirus Oncology, ICU at Aspirus Wausau, and the Aspirus Plover emergency department for their compassionate care of Carolyn.

As we remember Carolyn, we invite you to share your memories, stories, and photographs of her on her memorial page. These shared memories paint a beautiful picture of Carolyn's life and the love she had for all of us. We hope you find comfort in these shared memories as we celebrate Carolyn's life and the love she gave so freely.