Laurie J. Zei

Laurie J. Zei, 68, Wausau, died Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at Cedar Creek Manor, Kronenwetter. She was born June 2, 1947 in Waukesha, daughter of the late Theodore and Jessie (Fromm) Fejnas. Laurie grew up in the Waukesha area and attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Following college, she lived in Madison, Wisconsin where she taught school at Lowell Elementary, before moving to Ripon, Wisconsin where she taught school at Rosendale Elementary. Laurie and her family then moved to Wausau, and for many years, she was a teacher at Rib Mountain Elementary School. During those years, she continued her education earning her Masters Degree in Education from Aurora University. Laurie had a great passion for teaching and retired in 2003. In her younger years, Laurie loved horses and riding. She was an animal lover, a lover of antiques, a talented and gifted artist, and especially enjoyed painting and rosemaling. Most of all, she enjoyed time spent with her family and socializing with her fellow teachers. Laurie will be deeply missed by those lives she touched. Survivors include, one daughter, Jenna (Jonathan) Leake, Valparaiso, Ind. and their children, Otto and Jude; one son, Luke (Emily) Zei, La Crosse; and one brother, Jim Fejnas, Wausau. Funeral services will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Pastor Larry Bremer will officiate. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Village of Hartland Cemetery in Hartland, Wisconsin A memorial fund is being established in Laurie's name. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com