Carlene Roberta (Raquet) Zollner

Carlene Roberta (Raquet) Zollner, 71, passed away peacefully at home with her family at her side on April 4, 2020.

Carlene was born September 14, 1948 in Columbus, Ohio the daughter of Carl and Roberta Raquet. She grew up in Birmingham, Michigan and was a 1966 graduate of Birmingham Groves High School. Carlene earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Drama at Eastern Michigan University and her Master of Arts in Reading Education from Western Michigan University. Carlene began her career in Education at Battle Creek Public Schools. After two years she accepted a position at Tekonsha Community Schools where she taught English and Reading for over 30 years and served as the Theatre Director. Carlene loved being a teacher; she cared deeply for her students and positively impacted many lives.

Carlene was united in marriage to George Zollner on November 17, 1973 in Birmingham, Michigan. Carlene introduced George to many wonderful things, including her love for Live Theater. Together they attended Barn Theater performances for 45 years and many Broadway shows in New York, Chicago, Toronto, London, Brisbane and across Michigan. Carlene loved to entertain and enjoyed planning events and hosting parties for friends and family. She was a great dancer who was often first on the dance floor; a vigorous reader of books and always enjoyed a good movie. Games were Carlene's passion and she was never one to turn down an opportunity to play. She enjoyed driving her yellow convertible, was very proud of her beautiful flower gardens and was an extremely talented sewer who created many beautiful needle point pictures. Carlene was politically active and very interested in helping good candidates gain office. She always looked forward to her annual family vacation Up North and loved U of M and Detroit sports teams, even though they often disappointed her by losing.

Carlene was a member of the First Congregational Church of Battle Creek, where she was a Sunday school teacher and in the choir for many years. Carlene was a volunteer with the American Association of University Women (AAUW), where she served in various capacities including President. Carlene also spent the last five years tutoring several special young students in the Battle Creek area.

Carlene was a loving wife, incredible mother, remarkable person and best friend to many. She was a vibrant, happy, special woman who was full of life and truly enjoyed having a good time with friends and family. Carlene will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Carlene is survived by George, her husband of 46 years; son, Kurt Zollner; daughter, Kristin (Zach) Bletz; grandson, Cambren Zollner; brother, Greg (Karan) Raquet; two sisters, Karen (Tom) Coop, Terri (Dan) Christian and several close cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. Carlene was preceded in death by her parents.

The service for Carlene is limited to 40 people (Family & invited guests). The service for Carlene will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 18, 2020, at Fort Custer National Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/event/252714 or you may also view it on the Farley Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home Facebook page. Due to the COVID-19 virus, a public service will be held later when it is safe for Carlene's family and friends to be together and celebrate her life.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Battle Creek Branch of AAUW (https://battlecreek-mi.aauw.net/) or South Michigan Food Bank (https://smfoodbank.org/). Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. To share a memory of Carlene or send a personal message to her family, please do so here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.