Diana M. Zarzyski

Diana Marie Zarzyski, Deedee, to all who knew and loved her, was born in Ironwood, Michigan to James and Patricia (Cvengros) Nichols on March 21,1959 and passed away peacefully on July 31, 2024 at Home of Hope in Fond du Lac, WI with her family by her side. 

Deedee was an amazing woman, mother, partner and friend who lived her life always helping others both as a nurse and friend. Deedee earned her LPN degree from Gogebic Community College in 1980 and her RN degree from St. Luke's School of Nursing in 1983. In 2003, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Deedee’s passion and skills in her field earned her the prestigious Nightingale Award from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh College of Nursing in 2000. She went on to serve the Ripon Community as an exceptional nurse for over 40 years before retiring in the summer of 2022. 

Deedee’s zest for life and adventure were always paramount. She enjoyed traveling in the states and abroad. She especially loved to plan mother-daughter excursions and adventures with her fiancé, Glenn over the years. She and her daughter, Rachel, cherished this time together. Deedee also enjoyed all outdoor activities including gardening, turkey hunting, and kayaking on Moon Lake in Montello. Most recently, fishing became a pastime that Deedee and her fiancé, Glenn, loved doing together.

Deedee enjoyed cooking and loved to shop; she was a “TJ Maxxinsita” and the queen at finding a “good deal!” Most importantly, however, Deedee was generous, kind, and loved spending quality time with her family, friends and her beloved dachshund, Curly. 

Deedee is survived by the loves of her life, fiancé, Glenn Curran of Ripon, WI; daughter, Rachel Zarzyski (James Cooper) of Madison, WI; father of their child, Gary Zarzyski of Ripon, WI; aunts, Jayne Cvengros of Hurley, WI and Susan Perhalla of Ironwood, MI; cousins, Jennifer Cvengros of Saxon, WI, and Cathie (Warren) Geyer of Mt. Pleasant, WI; best friend, Joann Strandell; the Curran Family; and countless friends and nursing colleagues who will miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her parents, James “Squeak” and Patricia “Pat” Nichols; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Deedee wanted it known she was thankful for her best friend, Joann Strandell, who made this journey almost fun, and the Curran family, especially The Sisters.

In Deedee’s words, “Don’t say I lost to cancer, because cancer may have taken almost everything from me, but it never took my love, my hope or my joy.”

Visitation for Deedee will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, at Ripon Community Church, 1 Westgate Dr, Ripon, WI 54971.

A celebration of life service for Deedee will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Ripon Community Church, with pastor Sam Prellwitz officiating. A livestream of the service may be viewed at 2:00 pm by visiting this link LIVESTREAM. It is Deedee’s wish for donations to be given in her name to the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter, PO Box 86, Green Lake, WI 54941, or SSM Health Hospice Home of Hope, 400 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.