Jennifer Catherine Zunke

    Jennifer Ranly Zunke began her life’s journey on April 5, 1956 in College Station, Texas.  Jennifer was the first born child to parents, Donald and Jeanette Ranly. She grew up in Corpus Christi with her younger brother, Keith, and her baby sister, Lauren.  Jennifer graduated from Incarnate Word Academy of Corpus Christi before heading back to her roots in College Station, where she graduated from Texas A&M University.  Jennifer soon returned to the Coastal Bend to be close to family and friends, whom she held so dear.  In Corpus Christi, she met and married her husband of 33 years, Dale Zunke.

    When most other people are beginning to dream of retirement, Jennifer found her second wind and passion in a new career of teaching.  Jennifer taught Pre-K at Welder Elementary in Sinton, Texas.  Jennifer loved her students and her whole Welder Elementary family.  Jennifer’s dedication to teaching and to assisting the youngest among us as they began their own life’s journeys was evident to all.  Jennifer, an avid reader in her own right, strove to instill that love of reading in her young charges.  She recognized that for children reading offered a boundless passage to places and lives which, while presently beyond their means, were not beyond their reach.  Although Jennifer was honored as a Sinton Teacher of the Year, she was most proud of the gratitude received from parents whose children she felt privileged to teach.

    Still, and despite her commitment to her students, Jennifer found time for her lifelong friends with whom she traveled near and far during times off.  Throughout her life, Jennifer remained close to family and friends she cherished.  Her heart was filled with a love that brought kindness and comfort.  Although her journey in this life came to an end on February 21, 2018, her spirit lives still in the memories that light and warm our remaining paths.

    Jennifer is survived by her husband, Dale Zunke of Portland, Texas; her stepson Dale (Jackie) Zunke, Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia; her granddaughter, Madeline Zunke of Atlanta, Georgia; her brother Keith (Leslee) Ranly of Sugar Land, Texas and her sister, Lauren (Lance) Duke of Corpus Christi, Texas; nephews and niece, Hunter and Abigail Ranly of Sugar Land, Texas and Lawson Duke of Corpus Christi, Texas; and her brother-in-law Alan (Deb) Zunke of Troy, Ohio.  Jennifer is preceded in death by her parents and father and mother-in-law, Bill and Mary Ann Zunke.

    A Rosary and Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at 2:00 pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Portland, Texas, with Rev. Msgr. Mark Chamberlain as Celebrant.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Sinton Independent School District, 322 S. Archer Street, Sinton, Texas 78387 to benefit Welder Elementary Pre-K classroom libraries or to Bell/Whittington Public Library, 2400 Memorial Parkway, Portland, Texas 78374.