Kathleen M. Zillman

Kathleen Margaret Zillman, 96, of Wausau, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

She was born on April 19, 1930, to the late Christopher and Elvera (Sleeter) O'Driscoll, in Eau Claire, WI.

Kathleen met her future husband, Roger Zillman, while she was in nurses' training in Wausau. They were married on June 21, 1952, at St. James Catholic Church in Eau Claire, and then resided in Wausau.

Kathleen was born at home on the family farm, and attended grade school and high school at St. Patrick's in Eau Claire, graduating in 1948. She received her nursing education and training at St. Mary's School of Nursing in Wausau and graduated with the class of 1951. Early in her career, she worked at both St. Mary's and Memorial hospitals, later as an employee health nurse at Marmet, and she did private duty nursing for a time. She retired from nursing in 1997, after many years at Wausau Medical Center.

Kathleen enjoyed reading, music, playing bridge, sewing, flower gardening, jewelry, fashionable clothes, and her Irishness. She was the organist and pianist at Holy Name for many years, playing for countless masses, weddings, and funerals. She was a loud cheerleader for the Packers and Badgers. She especially loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and they brought her much happiness. She made annual trips to Irish Fest and enjoyed exploring her Irish roots on trips to Ireland.

Kathleen is survived by her daughter; Barbara (Rod) Digman, her grandchildren; Luke (Cheryl) Digman and Amanda (Ben) Shuda, great grandsons; Nolan and Bryce Shuda, brothers; Jim O'Driscoll, Bob O'Driscoll, and Patrick (Sheri) O'Driscoll, sisters; Margaret (Chuck) Thorsen and Judy (Dave) Risch, sister-in-law; Vanessa Zillman, as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She is preceded in death by her husband; Roger Zillman, her two sons; Thomas Zillman and David Zillman, her sister, Delores (Robert) Martinek, and sisters-in-law; Ruth O'Driscoll, Libby O'Driscoll and Viginia Zillman, brothers-in-law, Jim Zillman and Wayne Zillman.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Wausau.