Christine Jo Zattera

Remembering Christine Jo Zattera

Christine Jo Zattera, a woman whose life was defined by love and devotion to her family, passed away peacefully with her loved ones surrounding her on October 29, 2025.

She was born on December 23, 1951, in Elgin, Illinois, to Arthur and Elaine Peterson. Christine spent her early years in Waukonda, Illinois, until her family made their move to Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin. She graduated from Lakeland Union High School and, shortly after, began her journey with the love of her life, Joseph, whom she married on June 6, 1970, beginning a fifty-five-year marriage.

A Life of Family and Community

The couple first settled in Mokena, Illinois, where they built their first home and welcomed their three children. In 1977, they brought their children back to Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin, where they built a second home. Two years later, in 1979, Christine and Joseph, along with her brother and sister-in-law, became proprietors of the Shamrock Bar in Lake Tomahawk for 10 years. In 1989, they returned to their second-built home, where they resided for the next 27 years. In 2016, her final residence became Woodruff, Wisconsin.

Christine was a truly loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She dedicated her life to caring for her family. A talented crafter, she poured her love into knitting, creating blankets for family members, sweaters, and generously donating many knitted newborn hats to hospital nurseries. She and Joseph shared a passion for adventure, traveling the country on their motorcycle every summer. Christine was also a devoted presence in her grandchildren's lives, often taking them to the park and the lakes to swim, and she was always cheering proudly from the stands at their many sporting events.

Christine's memory will be cherished by her loving husband, Joseph, and her three children: Angela (Duane), John, and Kimberly.

She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Richard, Breanna (Brandon), Elizabeth (Eric), Justin (Shania), Terry, Dominic (Ashley), and Derek (Shelby); and her great-grandchildren: Allianna, Madisyn, Kyrie, Titan, Arlo, Athena, Xyen, and Noah.

She is further survived by her siblings: William (Bobbie) Peterson, Janice Caudle and Douglas (Patsy) Peterson; her in-laws: Lucy Hornback, Diane (Bruce) Chandler, and James Chancellor; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Elaine Peterson; her brothers, Edward and Carol; her husband's parents, John and Antonia Zattera; her sister-in-law, Sylvana Chancellor; and her niece, Michelle Kaspryzyk.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 8, 2025, at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.