Patti Jean Zeilinger, age 52, of Hudson, died peacefully on Sunday, June 13, 2010, at Boutwell’s Landing in Stillwater following a courageous battle with gallbladder cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family. Patti was born the daughter of Albert C. and Katharine A. (Greeder) Ponath on October 17, 1957 in Stillwater, MN. She grew up there and graduated from Stillwater High School. She worked as a customer relations representative for Dex One (formerly Dex Media) for over 30 years. On November 7, 1981, Patti was united in marriage to Timothy J. Zeilinger at St. Michaels Church in Stillwater. Their union would be blessed with three children: Josh, Jake, and Jenna. Patti was the matriarch of her family and she loved being a grandma. She was a strong-willed woman who was incredibly supportive and caring. She loved animals, especially her pet Schnauzers, Jasper and Oscar. Patti cheered for the Packers, liked to shop, and was a good cook/baker. She was preceded in death by her parents and father-in-law, Johnnie Zeilinger. Patti will remain in the hearts of her husband Tim; children, Josh (Molly) Zeilinger of Somerset, Jake (Lucy) Zeilinger of Hudson, Jenna (Nick) Krueger of River Falls; grandchildren, Luke & Riley; sisters, Wendy (Bob) Anderson of Stillwater and Jill (Rob) Merrill of Cottage Grove, MN; brother, Steve (Mary Jean) Ponath of St. Cloud; mother-in-law, Delores Zeilinger of Baldwin; brothers & sisters-in-law, Kay (Rich) Callister of Woodbury, Gloria (Dave) Neiber of New London, MN, Bonnie (Gary) Strehlo of Rochester; and many nieces & nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Patti at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 16th at ST. Anne’s Catholic Church, 141 Church St, Somerset with Fr. Tom Thompson officiating. Organist Janelle Sutherland will accompany the singing of Greg Schaeffer. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery with her children and their spouses serving as casketbearers. Visitations will be one hour prior to Mass at church and Tuesday, June 15th from 5 until 8:00 PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, 715-386-3725. Memorials are preferred.