Robert J. Zelenski

Robert J. "Bob" Zelenski, age 96 of East Troy, WI, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 28, 2025, at East Troy Manor. Bob was born on April 20, 1929, to John and Eleanor (Bieneman) Zelenski in Brighton, WI. Bob grew up in Brighton and was a graduate of St. Mary's Catholic High School in Burlington. He met and married the love of his life, Mary Ann Mitchell, in East Troy. Following their marriage in October 1956, they took over the Mitchell Family farm, and while raising their 5 children turned it into the Zelenski Family farm. Bob was a proud US Army Veteran who served during the Korean War. He served on the Town of East Troy Planning Commission for several decades. Bob was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, served on the board of Burlington Co-op, and was a secretary of the Pure Milk Association. He was an active member of St. Peter's Catholic Church where he served as an usher for over 50 years. He volunteered at the East Troy polling center. Bob was a charter member who helped start the Burlington Fire Dept in 1950. Besides dairy farming and playing cards, his hobbies included raising sheep, collecting antiques and maintaining genealogy records of his relatives. After retiring from farming, Bob worked in maintenance at The Elegant Farmer for 10 years.
He and his wife enjoyed the camaraderie of good friends in two sheepshead (schafskopf) social card clubs over many decades. More recently, he also hosted a dedicated group of men to play sheepshead on Wednesday afternoons at his home for a number of years. Thanks to all of them for their friendship.
Robert is survived by his 5 children: Julie Allen of Madison, WI, Steve (Jane) of East Troy, Tim (Lori Muzatko) of East Troy, Shirley of Healdsburg, CA, Kelly (Damian) Garrison of Knightstown, IN. He is further survived by 3 grandchildren: Marcus (Jessica), Tom (Kelly), Beth Zelenski (Fi Aaron Sirovina), 8 great grandchildren Sophia, Alex, Charlie, Hudson, Evie, Cora, Luke Zelenski, and Tyler Pulchinski, a brother Richard (Pam) and sister-in-law Phyllis J. Zelenski, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Eleanor, his stepmother Loretta, his wife Mary Ann, mother- and father-in law Oliver and Julia Mitchell, two brothers Joe Zelenski, Mike Zelenski (Phyllis F.), one sister and brother-in-law, Betty (Bill) Weis, three brothers-in-law, Ed (Julia), Bob (Bernice) and Len (Pat) Mitchell, three sisters-in-law, Olive (Lewis) Larsen, Dorothy (Joe) Zivkovich, Marge (Herb) Koenen, and many life-long friends. Many thanks to the entire staff at the East Troy Manor for their care. Special thanks to the St. Croix Hospice team who were there for him up to the end
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 12 noon with a visitation from 10:30 am until the time of Mass, all at St. Peter's Catholic Church in East Troy, 1981 Beulah Ave. Burial in St. Peter's cemetery will follow the mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Bob's favorite charity, The Time is Now to Help Children & The Elderly, P.O. Box 1, Lake Geneva WI 53147. Or https://timeisnowtohelp.org.