Kathleen R. Zastrow

Kathleen Zastrow, 85, died Sunday, September 29, 2024 surrounded by her family.

She was born December 6, 1938 in Wausau, daughter of the late Raymond and Henrietta (Baumann) Strassman.  On May 23, 1958 she married Arvin Zastrow at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Wausau.

Kathleen worked in many roles over the years, including owning and operating Wausau Auto pool and Zastrow Construction.  Later in life, she went back to college, earning her accounting degree and worked in the cashier’s office at Northcentral Technical College for 18 years prior to retirement.

After retirement, Kathleen and her husband, Arvin, owned Little River Antiques, an antique store north of Tomahawk, which allowed them to enjoy their hobby of treasure hunting.  Kathleen loved thrift stores, estate sales, and a good garage sale.  Over the years, Kathy and Arvin took many car rides throughout Wisconsin and nearby states, in search of collectibles for the store.

Kathleen was a very talented crafter.  Her hands were never idle, and she spent much of her free time knitting, crocheting, and sewing.  She was a vendor at local craft shows for over 30 years selling her handmade items which included knit socks, mittens, and her much loved and sought after, potholders.  Kathleen had many regular customers and once sold over 350 potholders at one show.

After closing the antique store and discontinuing craft shows, Kathleen decided to move her hobby to a rented booth in the antique mall in Minocqua, where she continued to sell her handmade crafts and antique treasures.  Kathleen looked forward to her weekly trips to check on her booth and especially loved getting the printout sheet of what inventory was sold.

She is survived by her daughters, Terri (Robby Alvis) Zastrow and Kelly (Shawn) Fischer; and sisters, Sandy (Leroy) Laabs and Ardell (Harvey) Bade.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arvin Zastrow; and her parents.

Funeral Services will be at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau.  Rev. Eric Hauan will officiate.  Visitation will be Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the Stewart Avenue funeral home.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.