Rebecca "Becky" Jean (Ruhnke) Zahler

Rebecca "Becky" Jean Zahler, 60, passed away on July 6, 2023, at Amery Hospital. She was born on August 13, 1962, to Suzanne and Ronald Ruhnke in Cloquet, MN.

Becky was a devoted wife and mother of six who excelled as a homemaker. One of her favorite hobbies was cross-stitch and she created many wonderful projects for family and friends. Her biggest project included a 4-foot tall dollhouse with seven unique rooms being enjoyed by her grandchildren to this day.

The surrounding community, church, and school district will remember her for countless volunteer hours helping the area youth. Some of the organizations she supported were playgroups for preschoolers, volunteering at the school to work with special education students, organizing AYSO soccer league, and many other activities for her fellow parents.

In her final years at the nursing home, it was often remarked how friendly and upbeat she was. Despite her disability, she was always greeting and waving to everyone that would come by.

Rebecca is survived by her father, Ronald Ruhnke; husband, Jim Zahler; children, James R. (Anna) Zahler, Hannah (Matthew) Ritchie, Kathryn (Hunter) Steltenpohl, Benjamin Zahler, Isaac Zahler, and Michael Zahler; grandchildren, Gemma Zahler, Lucia Zahler, Katarina Zahler, James A. Zahler, Rosalee Ritchie, and Phoenix Ritchie; siblings, Sue Ruhnke, Ron Ruhnke Jr., Richard Ruhnke, Krista Ruhnke; many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Suzanne Ruhnke.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake, WI on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. with a visitation starting at 9:00 A.M. until the time of service.   Please join the family for lunch and fellowship in the church fellowship hall following the service.  She will be laid to rest at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Centuria, Wisconsin.

Kolstad Family Funeral Home, Centuria, WI has been entrusted with arrangements. 

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