Obituary of Mary Jane Zukowski-Dieringer

Mary Jane Zukowski-Dieringer  (nee Rinka)  passed away peacefully on August 26, 2024 in Gurnee, Illinois

Born on October 6,1934 in Stevens Point, Wi to Stephen and Frances (Laszewski) Rinka. Mary Jane attended St Peters Catholic Grade School and St Joseph’s Academy where she met many lifelong friends including her future sister-in-law Colette Zukowski. After a brief career in insurance at the Sentry Insurance Company, she met and married Clifford Zukowski in 1957.  They moved to the Milwaukee area where her husband developed his accounting skills at the AC Spark Plug facility in Oak Creek, WI.  Looking to become entrepreneurs and to move closer to family, they purchased a CHIPS hamburger franchise and opened their first location in Marshfield co-owned by her sister and brother-in-law in 1967. They later added a second location in Wisconsin Rapids and enjoyed early success with both locations. Aside from assisting at the restaurant, she raised her 5 children, worked in retail and enjoyed decorating  her homes to the MAX, especially at Christmas time.

After the death of her first husband in 2002, Mary Jane found love again with Donald Dieringer of Marshfield. They married in August of 2007. They enjoyed their golden years between Wisconsin and Florida. She was preceded in death by her mother, father and sister, Ruth. She is survived by her husband Donald along with his loving family, her sister, Corrine Brekke of Neillsville and brother, Peter Rinka of Loyal, one brother-in-Law Fabian Zukowski of Wilmette, IL; her children, Perry (Mary) Zukowski of Libertyville, Il, Tom Zukowski of Mankato, MN, Chris (Mary Kay) Zukowski of Pewaukee, WI, Mary Jo (Matt) Redman-Ellis of Stoddard, WI  and Amy (Chris) Edmondson of Libertyville, IL. Grandchildren include Eric (Jen) Zukowski , Brad (Alyssa) Zukowski , Kaylin Zukowski, Connor Zukowski, Madeline Zukowski, Theresa Zukowski, Charles Zukowski, Jordan Redman, Anesah Ellis, Jack Redman, Elizabeth Edmondson and Avery Edmondson  and 3 Great Grandchildren all in the Midwest.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to St Vincent DePaul in her name. 

There will be a visitation from 10 – 11 and a funeral mass at 11am at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Marshfield, WI on Saturday September 28th followed by a celebration of life.