Jacquelyn Ann Zinsli Behrens

Our dear mother, grandmother, and friend Jacquelyn, “Jackie” A. Zinsli Behrens, age 80, of Sheboygan Falls, WI, passed peacefully surrounded by family after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024.

Jackie was born on April 30th, 1944, to Joseph Zinsli (1900-1971) and Evelyn (Redmond) Zinsli (1922-1986) in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. She was the only child and the pride and joy of her parents. Jackie was united in marriage to David G. Behrens of Plymouth, Wisconsin, from August 1967 to September 2021. She is survived by their two daughters, Stacy A. Karbe (Patrick Karbe) of Kohler, Wisconsin, and Krystal L Behrens Kraemer (Lee Kraemer) of Reno, NV. and three grandchildren, Harrison P. Karbe, 23, of Sheboygan, WI, Cora E. Kraemer, 23, of Bowling Green, OH, and Leo W. Kraemer, 20 of Athens OH.  Many family members were important to her in life: the families of Thomas and Susan Behrens of Sheboygan, WI, David G. Behrens of Uniontown, PA., Jean (Behrens) and Richard Marchini of Winona, MN, and Steven Behrens and Terri Green of Sheboygan Falls, WI. 

Jackie was educated in the Chippewa Falls school district and graduated with a Bachelor's in Education from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. She was an accomplished educator in the Plymouth, WI area for over 40 years, most notably at St John the Baptist School as a middle school Science teacher. She inspired hundreds of students and was a beloved teacher throughout her career. Jackie was involved in various educational causes and activities inside and outside of school, and she valued all aspects of her students' education, from STEM to the Arts. 

Later in life, Jackie spent her time on Long Lake in Cascade, WI, with her partner and fiance, Terry W. Ward of Plymouth, Wisconsin (1946-2022). They loved RV travel, boating, fishing, and general lake life. Over the years, Jackie made many new friends and reconnected with lifelong friends. She had a very active schedule filled with social activities, crafts, and lunch dates; she made fast friends everywhere she went. It was important to her that no matter where she was in her life, she always remained a teacher at heart. She loved going places and meeting former students she inspired, and it was a frequent occurrence for her to have people approach her and remember how she positively influenced their lives. Even as a cancer patient, she valued how she could provide opportunities to others for learning through her medical diagnosis and care.

Jackie and her daughters have many people and organizations to thank for the outpouring of love and kindness shown over the last few years as she battled cancer. We send special thanks to Dr. Nicholas Gustafson and the staff at Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic, doctors, nurses, and staff at Aurora Healthcare, as well as staff and friends at Berkshire Senior Living, The Shores of Sheboygan Assisted Living, and Rocky Knoll Health Care Center. 

In place of flowers and traditional service, please honor our mother’s memory through an act of kindness, teaching someone something new, and sharing stories of what she meant to you with others. Should you wish to make a tangible impact in her name, please follow the links above where you may choose to donate to an organization meaningful to her.