Raquel Zickert

Raquel (Munoz) Zickert, 93, of Rockford, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025. She was born on August 22, 1931, in Beloit, Wisconsin, the daughter of Thomas and Gila (Lopez) Munoz. She married the love of her life, Paul E. Zickert, in June of 1957 and spent over 60 years with him until his passing in October of 2018. She was very strong in her faith and attended Grace United Methodist Church.

She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and obtained her master’s degree from National Louis University. She was the first Hispanic teacher in Rockford School District #205 and taught in the district for many years, education being very important to her. She dreamed of her grandchildren to be teachers, two of her granddaughters went on to become teachers. She kept a spotless house and enjoyed cooking large meals for her family. Family time was everything to her, evident by her hosting of 65+ years of Thanksgivings for her family.

Survived by her children, Matthew (Nanette) Zickert, Lisa Sweeney, Adam (Patty) Zickert and Karla (John) Cook; grandchildren, Jordan (Demi), Brianna (Chris), Tasha (Andrew), Tyler (Ashley), Rosemary (Chris), Jessica (Andrew), Maria (Jeret), Theresa (Justin), Lydia (Alec), Josh, and Seth; great grandchildren, Talia, Adalina, Warren, Archie, Devin, David, Aubrey, Avionna, Haley, Logan, Zoey, Bennett, Addison, Alexis, Connor, Dylan, and Micah; her siblings, Connie Buchanan and Angelo Munoz; and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husband, Paul; her parents; her siblings, Nick (Dorothy) Munoz, Lola (Colin) Biddulph, John (Marge) Munoz, Ann (Gail) Van Woert; sister-in-law, Shirley Munoz; and her grandson, Jonathon Cook.

Services for Raquel will take place on Monday, March 24, at Grace United Methodist Church, 3555 McFarland Road, Rockford IL, 61114, with a visitation from 9:00 until 10:45 am. The Funeral Service will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. Private burial at East Lawn Cemetery in Beloit, WI. Memorials may be made to Carpenters Place, 1149 Railroad Ave, Rockford, IL 61104; The Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W State Street, Rockford, IL 61102. To share memories and condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.