Wendy Lynn (Sebesta)

Wendy Lynn (Sebesta) Zettner 01/21/1978 – 10/11/2024 Wendy passed on the morning of October 11, 2024, surrounded by the loves of her life. Wendy was born in Detroit, Michigan, to her mother, Pauline “Joann” (née Greer), and Emil Sebesta on January 21, 1978. She was welcomed by her brother, Rodney, and sister, Tracy, her first best friends. When Wendy was 10 years old, her family moved to their forever home in Warren, MI. She spoke often of her basement dance parties and endless hours playing Barbies. She would have her mom record her acting like a news reporter in her yard. She had many hard-hitting stories, the most memorable being her brother’s backyard skateboarding. Wendy never met a stranger. She carried an energy that made anyone feel loved and seen in her presence. She had a knack for knowing how to make others feel safe. She would talk for hours over the phone to make someone feel better. Wendy was the person who would get in her car and drive through snow, ice, and night to see an old friend. Time and again, she would open her home, her fridge, or her closet to anyone in need. Wendy discovered her love of photography early and later created angel photos for anyone left behind after a loved one passed. She always looked to ease another’s ache. She sought to heal by healing others. The person we share with you today was not perfect all the time, but even in her imperfections, we only loved her more. Vulnerable was never a weakness for her. Rather, it made everyone else feel safe to let down their walls. To sit with great ease and just be yourself with her. Her heart held everyone, all the time, always. Wendy spent endless hours dreaming of all the incredible things her children would grow to be. We all plan our lives with the truest of intentions, knowing that at any moment, God and fate could intervene. Losing her mom as a young girl taught her how to build lasting memories for her children and grandson. So many knew her to be on social media showing her memories, and her life, tagging anyone in old posts, truly she was ensuring each of us would have our memories, the videos, be able to hear her laughter and words, to feel her love still. She was ensuring there was never a goodbye. Wendy hated goodbyes. She notoriously never allowed it. She left every departure open-ended, so she always knew we would return. This was our Wendy. To each of us, she was ours. We should all aspire to exist in such a way that every soul we ever meet feels like your only and very best friend, your most favorite person, most loved, most trusted, and truest. As we gather to celebrate her life, we will cry, and we will wish for more moments, days, weeks, and years, but the same would be said if she lived to be 100. Do not look at the number of years she stayed, pay attention instead to the dash, because this is where our memories lie, the laughter is heard, the tears have been dried, the joys are celebrated, the love grew, and life was lived. Until you are called home, we ask this, take the photo, say, “See you soon”, leave space in your home for friends, be a little crazy, drive all night to hug your person, fight but ALWAYS makeup, send the song that reminds you, share the videos even if you don’t like your voice, your laugh, or yourself that day. Wendy taught us that love, family, and friendship are never perfect, but my God, are they all worth it. To Wendy, we raise our hearts, we leap with love, we will know no strangers, and we will fill her greatest loves lives with joy. She will always be in our homes, at our tables, on our minds, and forever carried in our hearts. Those we will extend her light to, always: Her son Devin Olko and grandson, Landon, her three daughters, Kailyn Olko, Makenna Olko, and Laci Zettner. Her sisters, Tracy (Robert) Richey and Sherry Choyke, and brothers Rodney Sebesta and Tony (Rose) Pagareski. Her many nieces and nephews, and to each other; her most dearest and bestest friends. Those who walked her to Heaven, her parents Pauline Joann and Emil Sebesta, and her brother, Jeff Pagareski.

Wendy Lynn (Sebesta)

January 21, 1978 - October 11, 2024