Kimberly Zeller

Kimberly Sue Zeller, nee Hakala, 60, passed away peacefully on February 21st, 2026. She was surrounded by loved ones in Racine, Wisconsin.

Kim is survived by her husband, Rick Zeller, and her two sons, Matt (married to Kelsey) and Ryan.

Kim’s legacy is laughter and optimism, even in the face of hardship. Everyone who met her was struck by her ability to turn a mundane encounter into a hilarious story. We’re not sure where she developed this skill, because her father (Wayne Hakala) was a taciturn man who served as a police officer in the Waukegan area; her mother (Ruth Hakala) was a tough-as-nails factory worker and wouldn’t let you forget it.

However, Kim’s genial nature could be deceiving — she was, in fact, the winner of the Christmas 2025 Zeller family poker game.

Kim’s greatest joy was her family, and each day brought a new opportunity to share a story or a joke. She was carrying on a tradition of near-daily calls started by her mother, who was then succeeded by Kim’s brother, Gary, after Ruth passed away. Gary passed earlier this year, and now, they can talk every day again, free from pain.

There will be a service honoring Kim’s life at Warren Funeral Home in Gurnee, Illinois, on Friday, March 6th (12:30pm–2:00 pm).