Eunice K. Zelinski (Nikolai), age 96, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life May 11, 2026 at HarborView Assisted Living.
Born October 16, 1929 to the late Anton and Josephine (Kutil) Nikolai. Eunice graduated from Mishicot High School in 1947 and afterwards, enjoyed planning class reunions with her friends. After high school, she was employed with the Manitowoc County Dairy Herd Improvement Association’s milk testing laboratory located in the basement of the Manitowoc County Courthouse and later, with Schwartz Manufacturing, in Two Rivers, until she became a full-time homemaker.
On November 12, 1955 she married Norbert Zelinski at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mishicot. Norbert preceded her in death on January 3, 2018 after 62 years of marriage.
She was a dedicated member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Manitowoc.
Eunice enjoyed volunteering at Peter’s Pantry in Manitowoc, organizing and distributing food. She also loved to chaperone field trips for the kids’ grade school classes.
She spent endless hours working in her flower gardens and vegetable gardens until she physically could not manage it. She passed that gardening gene onto many of her children and grandchildren, which made her very proud.
Her greatest joy was her family. Eunice is survived by her six children, sons: Michael (Ann) Zelinski, Larrabee, Donald (Sue) Zelinski, Manitowoc, Charles (Tammy) Zelinski, Manitowoc; daughters: Patricia (Mike) Morley, Manitowoc, Mary (Jeff) Phillips, Manitowoc, Nanci (Joel) Steber, Suamico; seven grandchildren: Danielle (Brandon) Boprey, Mike (special friend Darian Kaderabek) Zelinski, Ali (Jake) Zelinski-Tarantino, Sam Phillips, Carly (special friend Dalten Myers) Phillips, Katelynn (Greg) Seppanen, and Alex (fiancée Megan Loomans) Steber; and two great-grandchildren: Ophelia Boprey and Finley Tarantino. She is further survived by very special family members, Nancy and Jim Schiegg, and Kay Sweet; and friends Adelaide Ording, and Helen Koch; and loving nieces and nephews, and additional friends.
Also preceding her in death was her loving brother, Anton, Jr. “Tony” Nikolai, good friends Bernice Knitter and Ann Bruechert, cousins Dorothe Jarosh and Elinor Marks, brothers in-law, sisters in-law, and other dear friends and family.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Relatives and friends may call at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Waldo site, 1121 N. 14th Street, Manitowoc, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be held immediately afterwards at the church beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Manitowoc.
Eunice’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and caregivers of HarborView Assisted Living Facility for their kindness, compassion and care for the last several years. We really appreciate the hard work, dedication and devotion extended to “Eunie”. You folks are amazing! Also, a big thank you to the wonderful staff of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for the care and support given to Eunice and her family. Thank you to Eunice’s Nurse Practitioner, Veronica McFarlane and her staff of Froedtert/Holy Family for your exemplary care and treatment of our mom. She was always so comfortable with you and was extremely fortunate to be able to rely on your expertise and heart.
We also want to thank all of the Orchard Drive neighborhood friends, including, but not limited to, Carol and Noble Masslich, the Anderson family, Jeff and Judy Hanson, Jan Zich, Laura Braun, and Evelyn Schneider.
Finally and not nearly last, the Zelinski “kids” would like to thank Sue Zelinski for always being there for Mom when she needed a friend, a chauffeur, a confidant, and so much more. Mom often introduced Sue as her fourth daughter.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in Eunice’s name or mark your gift to one of mom’s chosen charities: Father Carr’s Place To Be, Gumby’s Club Fore a Cure, or Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
“Enjoy your life like our mom did. Treat yourself to whatever makes you smile” 🙂
Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home of Manitowoc is assisting the family. To leave a message of sympathy for the family, please visit Eunice’s obituary page at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
