Katelin Mae (Zebro) Blaschka

“You never know how strong you are, until you’re fighting for your life. You don’t realize how important every little thing is, until you’re faced with the possibility of death. Live each day like it may be your last. Love hard. Forgive even when you don’t want to. Laugh, because it’s better than crying.”  

- Katelin Blaschka

On Thursday, January 29th, 2026, Katelin Mae (Zebro) Blaschka passed away at Marshfield Medical Center – Marshfield, surrounded by her family. Following a nearly four-year battle with triple-negative breast cancer, she met this battle with unmatched and inspiring courage and resilience leaving a lasting imprint on the hearts of all who knew and loved her in her 31 years of life.

Katelin was born in Marshfield to William Zebro and Brenda Cheyka on November 24, 1994. From an early age, it was clear that Katelin’s personality and beautiful heart matched her beautiful appearance. As a sister to Gerrick Zebro, family vacations were common and often included hobbies on the water like boating and water skiing as well as camping and UTV’s with Mike and Amy Zebro. Other hobbies included Tomah tractor pulls and a fascination with the paranormal.

She graduated from D.C. Everest Senior High School in 2013 and pursued higher education for not only one, but two bachelor’s degrees; first in Biology from University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and the second in Nursing from Rasmussen University. As strong-willed as she was in her studies, she was equally driven to take care of her patients across the state as an Emergency Room Nurse in various Level 1, 2, and 3 Trauma Centers like UW Health in Madison, Abbot Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine, Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, and most recently, Marshfield Medical Center in Weston, where she grew up. A social co-worker, it was no surprise for Katelin to again make many new friends. Loved especially for her unique sarcasm and her incredible skill as a RN, she was inspirational to many on her team as she remained dedicated to her career throughout her cancer diagnosis. She especially took pride in mentoring new nurses and her peers. As a lifelong learner Katelin set goals to continue her education in medicine and would, without doubt, be wearing a white coat in the future. It was a special honor to be visited by the Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard in Katelin’s final days.

Growing up, Katelin’s beautiful and natural smile and energetic personality made it easy for her to make friends. While she could be a goofball and knew how to have a lot of fun, she was as equally smart and focused. At age 14, she would meet and start dating her future husband, Spencer Blaschka. They were married in Wausau on July 21, 2018. Their life together was full of love for each other as well as for their family and friends. Green Bay Packer Games were a favorite way to spend time together as well as cheering on the Brewers, Bucks and Badgers, especially around March Madness. Katelin was always happy around food. She was especially good at cooking (not baking) and had to document her plate in pictures - in her words, “phone eats first!” New-Recipe-Sunday was a favorite day for Katelin and Spencer to spend time together in the kitchen and try her creations. Family and friends would often get a text from Katelin inviting them for bonfires and driveway drinking – her way of spending quality time with those who mattered most. Katelin and Spencer made trips to countless destinations over the years, visiting family and new sights. Their last trip to Tennessee included the Great Smoky Mountains, which offered Katelin calm and beautiful scenery and quality time with her husband.

Katelin’s life was full – made in part by her courageous and determined mindset for what came her way but also in the way she touched the lives around her. Her smile, laughter, and beautiful heart will be remembered in the hearts of all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Spencer Blaschka of Kronenwetter; father, Bill (Kristi Strelcheck) Zebro of Black River Falls; mother, Brenda (Scott Noonan) Cheyka of Weston; brother, Gerrick (Paige) Zebro of Neenah; step-brother, Michael (Desi) Noonan of Neenah; nieces and nephew, Sophia and Aubree Zebro and Phelix Noonan of Neenah; mother and father-in-law, Shawn and Jenny Blaschka of Ringle; brother-in-law, Andrew Blaschka of Wausau; grandfather, Lee Zebro of Tomah; grandfather, Lenny (Dawn) Cheyka of Wausau; and grandmother, Paulette (John, her Cancer Buddy) Allman of Weston; as well as uncles, aunts, and cousins. She will be especially missed by her dogs Hank, Cash, and Behr and her cat, Titan. She is preceded in death by her stepmother, Eveline Zebro; and her grandmother, Julie Zebro.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Trailside Sports Bar & Grill, 8101 Schofield Avenue, Weston. In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Katelin’s name is being established.

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting Katelin’s family with arrangements. You may share memories and sign the family guestbook at www.ascendweston.org.