Marie Grace Zajicek, age 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 13, 2022. She was born on November 27, 1929, in Plain, Wis., the daughter of Alphonse and Mary (Frank) Kraemer. Marie, the sixth oldest of 15 children, graduated from St. Luke's Catholic High School.

Marie moved to Madison after high school, working for Farm Bureau. She met Jim, the love of her life, and married, in 1952 at St Luke's Catholic Church. Marie worked part time at Badger Ordinance and waitressed at the Dorf Haus as she and Jim raised their six kids. In 1967, Marie started to work at the Sauk City, Wisconsin Dairies facility, and worked there until 1983. Not one to be idle, Marie went on to volunteer and work at St Vincent's in Sauk City, retiring in 2012, when she turned 83. One look at Marie's hands will tell you that work was integral to her life. Marie and Jim enjoyed 59 years of marriage, until Jim's death in 2011. She was a devout catholic and a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church.

Marie continually spoke of her childhood, growing up in a large tight knit family, in the small town, Plain, WI. The bond she had with her brothers and sisters carried over into her own family of six kids. Marie loved and served her family, including her grand and great grandchildren, her many sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews. She enjoyed family gatherings, especially watching her grandchildren at their sporting events, school programs, trips to the cabin up north, and many other fun destinations throughout the US with her family. Playing cards was a big part of Marie's entertainment. She loved a great game of euchre and poker. Jim and Marie belonged to many card clubs, allowing them to enjoy the card games they loved as well as the opportunity to meet many new friends. She was the winner of many poker tournaments that the card clubs held. Marie made a friend where ever she went. She loved to share stories of her life with her friends, especially the "Tuesday After Church Group", as they met at various restaurants around Sauk Prairie.

Marie is survived by her children; Pat, Mary Peterson, Gary (Wanda), Ken (Sheila), Jamie (Sylvia) and Amy (Rick) Patterson; eleven grandchildren, Jason, Justin (Sarah) Zajicek, Jennifer (Jamie) Costa, Rochelle (Josh) Brunner, Ryan (Jaime) Patterson, Megan (Darin) Kuhnke, Matt Zajicek, Lucas Zajicek, Brock (Megan) Nolden, Danielle Nolden and Trent (Sarah) Walsh; thirteen great-grandchildren, Lydwina, Colby, Christian, Louie, Jordy, Lauren, Brooklyn, Natalie, Brianna, Mason, Avery, Brody and Kaylee; brother, Robert (Betty) Kraemer, sisters, Helen Taylor, Karol (Charles) Wichmann, sister in law, Penny Zajicek and Mary Snorek.

In addition to her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, son in law, Rodney Peterson, great grandson, Ashton Brunner, brothers, Alfred (Helen Marie) Kraemer, Norm (Louise) Kraemer and Linus (Florence) Kraemer; sisters, Lorraine (Monroe) Haas, Florence (Bill) Schluter, Irene (Bob) Esch, Betty (Brian) Scallon, Ann (Tom) Gerathonas; brother in law, Dean Taylor; infant sisters, Bernice, Delores, and Grace Kraemer; Mother and father in law, Frank and Josephine (Farrington) Zajicek, brothers in law, Galen Zajicek, Paul (Marlys) Zajicek; sisters in law Sue (Ken Schmitz), Eileen Angle and Renora Bremmer; nephews Anthony Zajicek, Joseph Schmitz, Mike Gerathonas, Dean Haas; nieces Joni Schluter, Margret Bremmer Paulus, Mary Beth Scallon, Diane Kraemer Ederer.

The family is so grateful for the love and care Mom received from the staff at the Maplewood Nursing Home, especially the staff in the Memory Care Unit. They are true Angles on Earth!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, Sauk City, at 11 am on Friday, June 17, 2022 with Father Cristian Valenzuela officiating. Interment will be in St. Aloysius Cemetery immediately follow the mass. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am – 10:45 am at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, 251 Water St., Sauk City, on Friday morning prior to the Mass.