Jill Ann Bagniefski

Jill Ann Bagniefski, 59 of La Crosse, Wis., passed away on Saturday, March 18 ^th 2017 after a long battle with respiratory ailments. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She was born to Frederick Charles and Rita Ann (Gates) Bagniefski, the second of seven children. In her early years, she enjoyed singing and playing guitar and cultivated what would become a life-long passion for creativity. A poet, photographer, metallurgist, graphic designer, painter, sculptor, and potter, Jill was an artist in practice and of heart. She was an adventurer and Rendezvous enthusiast who loved to travel and included her family on her many endeavors.

She graduated from Central High School in 1975, after which time she served as security police in the United States Air Force. For many years, she worked as a realtor. More recently Jill was able fulfill her dream of returning to nature after restoring her cabin in rural Mindoro. She was slated to graduate from University of WI – La Crosse in 2017 with a B.S. in Fine Arts. She is survived by her parents; her siblings Jeffrey Bagniefski, Timothy (Kris) Bagniefski, Teresa (James) Whitaker, Brian (Julie) Bagniefski, Brent (Mark) Bagniefski and Lisa Bagniefski; her former husband Kenneth Zakem; her children Jennifer (Harrison) Hund, and Anna (Grant) Zakem; and her beloved grandchildren Haylee Vejvoda, Charlie Engfer, and Jackson Hund. Jill’s brothers and sisters truly believe she was the most powerful woman in the world. She was preceded in death by maternal and paternal grandparents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The Rev. Lawrence Berger will officiate. Private family burial will take place at a later date. Friends may call on the family Friday evening from 4 until 6pm at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services La Crosse chapel; 200 West Ave. So. Visitation will also be held at the church on Saturday from 9:30am until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used in Jill’s memory.