Marilyn M. Ziemke, age 88, was called into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
She was born on February 15, 1935, to Otto and Anna (Zohner) Bernt in Osceola, NE. Marilyn grew up helping her parents on their family farm northwest of Shelby, Nebraska. After graduating from Shelby High School, she taught grade school in a country schoolhouse a few miles west of their family home. In the evenings, she worked as a waitress at the Bernt’s Truck Stop in Shelby where she met the love of her life William Ziemke. William and Marilyn were married in the Sacred Heart Church in Shelby on January 21, 1957, and resided a few miles East of Thayer, Nebraska where they managed their family farming operation. Marilyn could be found picking corn in their 55 John Deere Combine with their boys, Douglas and Michael, at her feet, doing chicken chores, and washing and packing the eggs. In later years, her role in the field changed and she could be found following William in her 4555 John Deere Tractor and grain cart as he picked corn.
Marilyn’s life was filled with many hobbies: going on adventures while vacationing with William, attending the York County and Nebraska State Fairs, cheering on her children and grandchildren, tending her garden, canning her bountiful produce, caring for her cats, attending card clubs, finding antiques, crocheting projects, donning a paintbrush, getting lost in a good book, fitting in an occasional trip to a casino (where she always seemed to walk away a winner), and creating memories and laughter with friends and family along the way.
Welcoming her with open arms into her Heavenly home are her parents Otto and Anna, her husband William, her son Michael, and brother-in-law Edward Haberman.
Left to cherish her memory and celebrate her life are her son Douglas and wife Terese (Dey) Ziemke of Thayer, Nebraska; Daughter-in-law Michelle (Hejna) Ziemke of Hickman, Nebraska; Grandchildren Katie Ziemke of Thayer, Nebraska; Jackie Ziemke & Fiancé Seth Weidt of Holdrege, Nebraska; Victoria (Ziemke) & Husband Ray Heusinkvelt of Martell, Nebraska; Sydni Ziemke of Hickman, Nebraska; Great Granddaughter Abigail Heusinkvelt of Martell, Nebraska; Sister-in-law Carolyn (Ziemke) Haberman of York, Nebraska; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Mass of Christian burial is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 13, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in York, NE. A Rosary will be said at 9:30 a.m., prior to the service. Interment will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Thayer, NE. Visitation will be held from 1-8 p.m., Thursday, with the family greeting friends from 6-7:30 p.m., all at Metz Mortuary in York. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.