Jenna Michelle Razner

Jenna Michelle Razner, 38, passed away on Monday, August 14 at St. Agnes Hospital with her family by her side after a long battle with addiction.

Jenna was born on June 10, 1985, to her parents Dave and Mary (Strebe) Razner, and graduated in 2003 from Fond du Lac High School. Passionate about caring for and educating children and helping them to become their best selves, Jenna graduated from Marian University with a degree in Early Childhood Education in 2008. Over the years, she taught students at Evans Elementary School, Boys & Girls Club, St. Mary’s Springs Academy, and Advocap HeadStart. There were few things that brought her more pride than helping students who were struggling and seeing them flourish. A coffee aficionado, she most recently worked at Starbucks, where she enjoyed trying new drink combinations and bringing them to her family and friends to sample.

Those who knew Jenna will always remember her for her huge heart and her love of many things. Any stray animal who crossed Jenna’s path was lucky as she would not rest until she could reunite them with their family. There was never an animal she met she didn’t adore, and she volunteered with multiple animal rescues. She spent many hours at the Gratitude Club, where she found a great community of friends, and as well as many stories of hope that inspired her throughout her battle.

She loaded playlists with the music of Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, and Billy Joel, and always had an episode of “That ‘70s Show” or “Golden Girls” queued up to watch. She loved scary movies, rollercoasters, and the fall. She was waiting with great excitement for the Little Farmer to open for the season, and already brainstorming Halloween costumes and preparing for her next viewing of “Hocus Pocus.”

One of her favorite titles was that of aunt. She so enjoyed spending time with her nephews and niece, Jackson, Molly, and Henry, and proudly shared photos of them. As Jenna was a pro when it came to all things beauty, Molly loved to have her braid her hair and do her nails where and whenever possible. She was a devoted mom to her menagerie of pets, and would do anything she could for them, including taking them for pup cups at Starbucks.

Jenna had one of the best hearts you could know. She tried to see the best in people, and would offer second, third, and fourth chances without being asked, despite all she had been through. She would help anyone she could.

For more than a decade, Jenna struggled with addiction. It is a terrible disease that robs people of so much. It requires people to fight every minute of every day, and it was a battle Jenna fought with all she had. We cannot imagine the pain that she was in from it, or how difficult it was for her, but we were very grateful for the time of sobriety she got this past year, and the life she got back with it. While addiction may have taken her, it did not win.

Jenna is survived by her parents, Mary and Dave Razner; her sisters, Katie (Riley) O’Hearn and Sarah Razner; her nephews Jackson and Henry O’Hearn and niece Molly O’Hearn; her grandma, Mae Strebe; her aunts and uncles Lisa and Steve Michels, Dan and Kathy Razner, Angie and Mark Kirst, and Cathy Razner; great aunts and uncles June Strebe, Wendy Gruse, Faye Diefenderfer, Sam and Ruth Ann Thuerwachter; her great friend Steve Kohnke; and her beloved fur babies Bob, Mia, Fluffkins, Sassafrass, Callie, and Jade.

She is preceded in death by her grandpa and best friend Robert Strebe. Life was much harder for Jenna when he left this world, and we find much comfort that they are together again. She was also preceded by her grandparents, Floyd and Marilyn Razner; aunts Karen (Razner) Piacine and Michelle Razner; uncles Michael Razner and Jack Thuerwachter; and many other friends who lost their battle to addiction as well.

Jenna’s family invites friends and relatives to a time of visitation on Friday, August 18, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 East Division Street, Fond du Lac, WI. Visitation will continue at 9:00 AM until 9:45 AM on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 4th St Way, Fond du Lac, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow visitation at 10:00 AM.

Her family is thankful for the love, care, and support she received at The Gratitude Club, Mahala’s Hope, Beacon House, and Fond du Lac County Mental Health Center over the years. They would also like to thank the nurses and doctors at the St. Agnes Hospital Emergency Room for their care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be directed to The Gratitude Club of Fond du Lac, Mahala’s Hope, or an animal rescue of your choice.