October 15, 1961 – October 18, 2025
Margaret “Peggy” J. De Zee, 64, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital. Peggy spent a brief amount of time on hospice care before joining her parents and siblings, whom she loved dearly, in their heavenly home.
Peggy was born in Joliet, IL, on October 15, 1961, and spent part of her childhood years in Chatham, IL, before the De Zee family moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Peggy graduated from St. Joseph’s High School and attended Gateway Technical College. She had a brief career as a surgical technician at the Blue Island Hospital before she experienced a life-changing motorcycle accident. Following the accident, Peggy had three children and spent time living in Chicagoland and Florida before returning to Wisconsin to be closer to family as her children grew.
Peggy was free-spirited and fiercely independent to the very end of her earthly days. She was very outgoing and could make friends anywhere. She loved making jokes and had a quippy turn of phrase for just about everything. Peggy had many hobbies and lived a life full of adventure. She enjoyed motorcycle rides and participating in local Poker Run events with her friends for many years. She was also very drawn towards nature and enjoyed spending time in her yard. The bird feeder was always full in hopes of catching glimpses of beautiful red cardinals, and Peggy spent every spring and summer pouring love and care into beautifying her yard with plenty of flowers and greenery. Spending time with Lake Michigan was also deeply important to her as a cherished symbol of peace and reflection in her life.
She is survived by her children, Rachael (Sean) Murphy of Chicago, IL, Christopher (Cari) Baker of Delavan, WI, and Patrick (Rachel) Baker of Racine, WI; her grandchildren, Tyler, Marlilyn, Tobias, and Violet Baker, and Logan and Leia McMahon. She is also survived by her siblings, Deborah (Douglas) Kohls-De Zee of Madison, WI, Michael (Rebecca) De Zee of Lakeland, FL, and Mary (Darrell Scace) De Zee of Monroe, WI; and her sister-in-law, Jane De Zee of Kenosha, WI, and numerous nieces and nephews across the country.
Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, William and Phyllis De Zee, and her siblings, Jacque De Zee, William De Zee Jr., and Kenneth De Zee.
The family is thankful for the care and support received by Froedtert Pleasant Prairie and Horizon Hospice. Per her wishes, cremation rites are being accorded, and the family will receive friends for a celebration of life in the spring in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
