Janet Leigh Sweeney Zuiker

Jan Zuiker, 95, a longtime Tomahawk resident passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital surrounded by family.  Jan was born October 1, 1928, in Clintonville, Wisconsin to Albert and Valinda (Fergot) Palmer. Jan married Darwin Sweeney on June 18, 1949, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Dar passed away in 1980, then on March 5, 1982, Jan married John Zuiker who also preceded her in death.

Jan was a lifelong learner.  She was proud of her college education at Ripon College before she married Dar.  Later, she finished her RN Degree through Northcentral Technical School.  She worked as a Registered Nurse at Golden Age Nursing Home for many years.  She took many cooking & computer classes through community education. 

Jan was an active and selfless worker for both her family and the community.   She was instrumental in beginning the St. Mary’s Catholic Thrift Cellar.  She was a Girl Scout Leader for 15 years. She was also instrumental in securing the funding for the purchase of the land for Birch Trails Girl Scout Camp.  She was a long-time member of the Northwood’s Garden Club 

Jan loved athletics.  She lettered at Ripon on the Rifle Team and enjoyed golfing at Edgewater Country Club on Tuesday mornings. Because there were limited girls’ sports opportunities at the time, she began Open Gym for middle school girls at the Washington School gym so they could learn the joy of sports.  At retirement she took up cross country skiing.   She loved watching sports and enjoyed many conversations with others about college basketball, especially the Badgers. 

Jan worked tirelessly for her family raising her children.  Jan loved her family and found great joy in them.   She also enjoyed working in her flower gardens and enjoying the gift of nature.    Jan was a lifelong Christian many years attending St. Mary’s Catholic Church and in recent years became a member of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church and she cherished her church family.

Survivors include eleven children: Kathleen Sweeney (Joerg Kessler, Pepin, Wi;  Maria Sweeney Connemara, Milwaukee; Ann Sweeney, Plymouth, MN; Jane (Rev. Mark) Gass, Tomahawk; John (Scarlet) Sweeney, Rhinelander; and James (Muna) Sweeney of Chanhassen, MN; Jean Zuiker of Evansville, IL, Jeff (Barb) Zuiker of Port Edwards, Wi; Pete (Tami) Zuiker of San Jose, California; Bill (Sandy) Zuiker of Marshfield, WI and Mark (Susan) Zuiker of Boulder Junction, Wi.   She further survived by 23 grandchildren & 23 great-grandchildren.

Jan was preceded in death by her husbands, Dar and John. A son, Dennis Sweeney and a daughter, Joan Sweeney, son-in-law, Brian Nelson, daughter-in-law, Judy Sweeney, her sister, Mary Sievers, her brothers, Albert, George, David and Harold.

The Funeral Service for Jan Zuiker will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 12:00 noon at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church. Rev. Mark Gass will officiate.  The family will receive friends at the church Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 12 noon.   Following the service, there will be a fellowship meal in the Redeemer Gym.  The burial in Calvary Cemetery will take place at 3 pm.   

Jan has requested memorials for the Redeemer Church Learning Center.   Krueger-Nimsgern Funeral Home is caring for the family. You may view the obituary and share online condolences nimsgernfuneral.com