12/6/1945-6/15/2006

Marlene L. Blank, Minocqua, age 60, lost her valiant fight against cancer on June 15, 2006, surrounded by her family at Grancare Nursing Center, Green Bay. She was born on December 6, 1945, in Columbus, daughter of the late Albert and Erma Zunker, Marlene graduated from Mercy Medical School of Nursing in Janesville. She dedicated her life caring for others, first at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah as the ICU head nurse, and later at Howard Young Medical Center in Minocqua. She married James Blank on June 14, 1969, in Fall River. They enjoyed traveling and for the past 20 years spending time with the family at their home on Lake Placid in Minocqua. Marlene enjoyed cooking, gardening, shopping and spending time with her niece and three nephews.
Marlene is survived by her husband, Jim; three brothers: Harvey Zunker, Aurora, CO; Donald (Donna) Zinker, Little Suamico; David (Mary Ann “Memir”) Zunker, Oshkosh; three nephews: Adam (Joy) Zunker, De Pere; Nicholas Zunker Minneapolis, MN; Tyler (TJ) Zunker, Appleton; and a niece, Brittany Zunker, Green Bay. She will be missed by her entire family including the family Golden Retriever, Ranger, and the many friends they have made along life's journey.
She was preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Don and Marian Blank and her grandparents.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sturday, June 17, 2006, at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 2:30 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Marlene's name, to the American Cancer Society, 130 Bell Street, Neenah, WI 54956.
The family would like to thank all the volunteers that helped to support and care for Marlene and Jim in their time of need, allowing Marlene to remain at home for as long as possible. We would like to thank the staff of Grancare Nursing Center for the kind and loving care they provided in her last hours.
An open house will be held at a later date in Minocqua in Marlene's memory.