Marilyn Zoellner

1928 - 2012

Marilyn Zoellner, nee Hellebusch, 83, Gainesville, Fla., formerly of Concord Hill, passed away peacefully Monday, June 25, 2012. She had been surrounded by her children and grandchildren over the previous six days.

Mrs. Zoellner was born Sept. 11, 1928, in Concord Hill, an area of small farms settled in the 1840s by her German ancestors. With 65 first cousins, she had many memories of her large extended family and growing up on her parents' 2-acre farm.

She was a confident young woman who, at the age of 15, moved to Washington and worked as a nanny so she could attend a larger high school.

After graduation, Mrs. Zoellner worked as a secretary to a local attorney until the time she took a day off from work, rode the bus to St. Louis and returned that night with a new job in hand and plans to move to the big city.

There, she met her future husband, Thomas Zoellner, in 1950. They were married April 19, 1951, in Concord Hill.

Mr. Zoellner's work as an aeronautical engineer with McDonnell Douglas Aircraft took them to California state in 1961, then to St. Louis briefly, then to Rockledge, Fla., in 1964, and later to Wichita, Kan., and several cities in Texas until his retirement in 1990.

Mrs. Zoellner returned to Florida in 2000 after Mr. Zoellner passed away and lived her remaining years in Gainesville, Fla., near her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by three sons, Steven, Alan and George, all of Florida state; one daughter, Barbara, Florida state; five grandchildren, Shamar, Marjesca, Laura, David and Michael; two sisters, Norma and Lois; one brother, Ken; other relatives and many friends.

Mrs. Zoellner was preceded in death by one son, Karl, in 1986.

A celebration of her life was held Tuesday, June 26, in Gainesville, Fla., where stories were told and smiles were abundant.

There were no local services held.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a hospice provider of choice is preferred.