Jacqueline Jean Chase's Obituary
Jacqueline Jean Chase (nee Zellmer) of Waupaca passed away peacefully the evening of October 1, 2021 surrounded by her family, after courageously battling pancreatic cancer. She was only 63 years old. While her time on Earth was cut tragically short, she packed more life into her years than most ever do in a lifetime.
She was born in Lacrosse, WI on May 25, 1958 to Kenneth and Marjorie Zellmer (nee Gjertson). She had a loving childhood with her parents and two sisters Jennifer (Brian) Fabiano and Krista Wollet. At only fifteen she met her future husband, Steven Chase, while on a family trip in Oshkosh. Both her and Steve attended University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where she majored in Microbiology. In 1979 she and Steve married, beginning what would be the happiest 42 years of her life. They settled in Mundelein, Illinois where they lovingly raised their two children; Alexandra “Alli” (Matthew) Reichert of Waupaca, WI and Tyler (Jessica) Chase of Peoria, IL. Jacki had a long and successful career at Baxter Healthcare that spanned 33 years. In 2012 she retired from Baxter so she could focus on what she loved most, her children and grandchildren. Jacki doted on her five grandchildren; Scarlett and Genevieve Reichert, Charlotte, Emma, and Luke Chase. After spending many happy summers on Spencer Lake while raising their children, the couple decided to permanently move to Waupaca. In 2019 that dream became a reality when they purchased a home nestled five houses down from their daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters.
Jacki was known for being the matriarch, the larger-than-life force with her kindness, strength, and quick wit. She was an incredible cook and took great joy from cooking large meals for her family and friends (you never left hungry, or without leftovers!). She loved baking with granddaughter Scarlett and had dedicated Wednesdays to teaching her to make cookies. She was an avid cross stitcher and would gift new babies in the family with ornate blankets. She enjoyed gardening and found comfort in using her hands to grow life.
She had a true gift for empathy and compassion, she never met a stranger. She touched many lives through the years with her dedication and friendship. She had a heart for philanthropy and improving the lives of others. When she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this summer, her initial reaction was to try to help others facing the same illness. She and her daughter joined the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) with the goal of helping lobby for research funding, becoming a resource for other patients/families impacted with pancreatic cancer, and setting up fundraising events when she finished chemotherapy. Unfortunately, her cancer was too aggressive to allow her to achieve these goals. Her daughter Alli and granddaughter Scarlett have continued on with her mission. The two have since started a fundraiser in her memory and have already raised over $4,000 for PanCAN. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to either PanCAN or St. Jude’s in Jacki’s memory. A celebration of life will be held Spring 2022 with more information to follow.
Link to fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/125361759808202/
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