CCZ About Us

With our licensed funeral directors, complete administrative staff, greeters and lot attendants, the Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker team will make sure all your needs are carefully and completely met. It is our mission to provide you a comforting experience, while taking the utmost care of your loved one.

Mary Lou Charapata Director & Owner
marylou@cczfh.com

“I came to Waukesha almost 25 years ago and have been fortunate to be a part of this community ever since. There is great importance in what we do to help people deal with powerful feelings after experiencing the death of a loved one. I feel fortunate to operate a business with a staff who feels that providing extraordinary service is a primary goal. I am extremely passionate about what I do and feel honored to help the families we serve at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home.”

Mary Lou serves the community as a concerned professional and as a civic-minded citizen with Waukesha’s best interests in mind. She’s been recognized for her pioneering work in bringing death education to area schools, churches, nursing homes and hospitals, as well as for her knowledge on the subject of infant death. She is currently on the Interfaith Caregiving Network Advisory Board and a member of Ascension Lutheran Church (Advisor to the Grief Recovery Group),
as well as an active member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association (WFDA), Order of the Golden Rule (OGR), the Milwaukee/Waukesha Funeral Directors Association (MWFDA) and the Waukesha
Chamber of Commerce. Mary Lou is a former member of the Waukesha Optimist Club and a former board member of both the Milwaukee/Waukesha and Wisconsin Funeral Directors Associations. Her hobbies include playing the piano, golfing, downhill skiing, crafting and reading.

Jessica Olson Director
jessica@cczfh.com

“As a licensed funeral director, I am honored to assist families in planning a meaningful and healing funeral experience that is tailored to their individual needs. I enjoy educating the community about the importance of funeral service by giving tours and speaking to church and school groups. I enjoy being part of the community through the Waukesha Chamber, volunteering with Interfaith Caregiving Network, and Ascension Lutheran Church Bereavement Ministry.”

John Pludeman Director
john@cczfh.com

“A native of Shawano, WI, I am a graduate of Milwaukee Area Technical College in Funeral Service. I have also earned a bachelor and master’s degree from Cardinal Stritch University. Along with being a licensed funeral director, I am an educator and coordinator of the Funeral Service Program at Milwaukee Area Technical College. Part of my career includes speaking to professional audiences across the United States on many funeral service related topics, as well as authoring text books and numerous articles for funeral service publications. I am also proud to be on staff at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home because it exemplifies the highest of standards in the profession while providing outstanding service to families.”

Timothy B. Coffelt Director
tim@cczfh.com

“I am proud to be a 2nd generation funeral director raised in Idaho and have had the privilege of serving the community there since 1987. I recently relocated to Waukesha in October 2007 and will enjoy raising my family in such a wonderful community.

My commitment is to serve and provide exceptional service to the families that entrust their loved ones to our funeral home. I enjoy giving back to the community through my church and civic organizations, as well as, death education to adult, youth, school and church groups.

I take great pride in being a member of such a dedicated staff of professionals that looks out for the well-being of each family that we are honored to serve.”

Mariah Dobbs Director
mariah@cczfh.com

“As a funeral director, I strive to provide the best possible service through remembrance and tribute to lives that were well lived. Being able to achieve a meaningful funeral experience for each family requires careful listening and attention-to-detail, as well as an understanding of each family’s needs. I am honored to serve the families of Waukesha and surrounding communities through funeral service, death care education and other community activities. Following our move from Maine in 1999, my husband and I are happy to call Wisconsin home.”

Joanne Abbs Pre-Planning Advisor
joanne@cczfh.com

“As the pre-planning advisor at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, I help families plan ahead and prepare for the most difficult day of their lives. I provide families with a service that gives them peace of mind and helps them take care of the many decisions and details required in planning a funeral. My husband, Ward, and I enjoy our three children: Mitch of Chicago; Staci and her husband, Damon Huibregtse, of Cheltemhan, England; and Ward and his wife, Jenn, of Appleton, along with our two grandchildren, Tyler and Haley.”

Rosemary Wehner Office Manager

“I joined the staff at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home after working in the Special Education Department of the Elmbrook School District. Since then, I have learned much about the importance of funeral service and the role it plays in the healing experience of a family when a loved one dies. On a daily basis, I have seen the special care and guidance given to the families we serve. It is a privilege to be part of the staff at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker and to assist in their dedication to each family that comes to our funeral home.”

Doug Miller Building, Grounds & Vehicle Maintenance
“After retiring from Waukesha Electric Co., I soon found myself sitting at home with my two cats, not to mention the fact that my “honey-do” list had become considerably out of control. I was then referred to a position at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker. I enjoy working with the staff at the funeral home and helping out in any way I can.”

Don Healy Coach Driver

“I have been a resident of Waukesha for almost 20 years, and previously worked with UPS until retirement. I now enjoy being a part of the Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home support staff. My wife Marsha and I have 2 children, and enjoy being grandparents to our 2 grandkids. As a member of St. William Catholic Church in Waukesha, I serve as a Eucharistic Minister and Usher. I also enjoy traveling with my family and playing golf.”

Linda Schroeder Family Assistant

“I came to Waukesha to attend school at Waukesha Memorial Hospital and worked there for several years. I also had the opportunity to travel and have lived in Florida, Montana, Holland and England. I have spent my career in the health and business fields and have volunteered with several hospices and grief support groups. I find that assisting families during difficult times is very rewarding. I enjoy working with the dedicated staff.”

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker is a member of the
National Funeral Directors Association, Wisconsin Funeral Directors
Association, Milwaukee/Waukesha County Funeral Directors
Association, and the Order of the Golden Rule.

Explore our offerings on this website. To set up an appointment
or for more information, we invite you to call (262) 542-6609