Mary Sarah Zwiefelhofer

1930 - 2018

Zwiefelhofer, Mary Sarah (Nee Apple) Mary Sarah Zwiefelhofer, 87, of Mequon, WI passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her children, shortly before 11 pm Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Mary was born on December 27, 1930 to Myrl Sampson "Jack" Apple and Catherine Elizabeth Apple nee Barrett in Peshtigo, WI. She was the second of four children and the only daughter. Mary is survived by her children, David (Rita Mullen) of Madison, WI, Linda Costa (Julio) of Oak Ridge, NC, Laura Elbakkal of Hopkins, MN, Paul Zwief (Jennifer) of Cedarburg, WI, Lisa Hebenstreit of Albuquerque, NM, and Peter (Sarah) of Whitefish Bay, WI and her grandchildren Miles Mullen, Charles Mullen, Daniel Costa, Elise Costa, Laila Elbakkal, Kareem Elbakkal, Ryan Zwief, Benjamin Zwief, Samuel Hebenstreit, Timothy Hebenstreit, Lewis Zwiefelhofer and Jack Zwiefelhofer. She is further survived by her brothers Charles Barrett Apple of Green Bay, WI and Robert Thomas Apple of Marquette, MI and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard Michael "Bernie" Zwiefelhofer and her brother John Myrl Apple. Mary grew up in Green Bay and graduated from West High School in 1948. She attended The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, MN, where she earned her bachelor of arts in June of 1952. She received her Registered Record Librarian certification from the American Association of Medical Record Librarians in December of 1952. Mary met her future husband Bernie at a YMCA dance in Milwaukee. They were married on May 12, 1956 in Green Bay and set about having six children in five years. In May of 1983, she was conferred the degree of master of social work from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Mary resided in Whitefish Bay for over 20 years and Mequon for over 30 years. During her pre-retirement years she was an ardent tennis player, often playing mixed doubles with her husband. She loved to take family skiing trips as well as summer trips to national parks. Mary volunteered at a crisis hotline. As an avid traveler, she visited all seven continents. Mary was a prolific reader and was known for her weakness of chocolate. Both her children and grandchildren were amazed by her technophilia, especially as an early adopter of personal computers, smartphones, and various electronic gadgets despite their introduction during her middle age. She spent several years wintering in Arizona with Bernie where she enjoyed golf, bridge, genealogy and socializing with her brothers, sisters-in-law and friends. She was a selfless caretaker of Bernie for the last years of his life and remained a member of a Parkinson support group even after Bernie passed away. She was also a member of Lumen Christi Church in Mequon and the Red Hat Ladies. Mary was a dedicated Green Bay Packers fan and stockholder who always sported green and gold on game day. She enjoyed watching, and text messaging commentary about, games with family. Mary was devoted to her family, and set an exemplary example of compassion, kindness, generosity and fun. She considered her children a long-term investment capitalized with her love, care and guidance. She was very happy to have her investment come back to her many fold. She was loved deeply and will be missed dearly. As an unusually strong woman, her family admires how she both lived her life and left it on her terms. Visitation is Saturday May 19, 2018 at 9:30 AM until the funeral mass at 10:15 AM at Lumen Christi Catholic Church, 2700 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, WI 53092. A luncheon will follow mass at 11 am. Cremains will be interred in a private ceremony at Resurrection Mausoleum in Mequon, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials to The Salvation Army (www.samilwaukee.org) appreciated.