Marcella Zimmerman

Marcella E. Zimmerman, 99, of Eau Claire, WI, formerly of Fairchild, WI, passed away on November 20, surrounded by her loving family.

Marcella was born in Arcadia, WI, to Albert and Stella (Liskowski) Grossman. Polish was the only language spoken at home, so when Marcella started school she had to quickly learn the English language.

She was united in marriage on October 13, 1947, to Raymond Giemza at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in North Creek near Arcadia. From this union two daughters were born, Sharon and Betty. The couple farmed in Glencoe near Arcadia until Raymond passed away in 1954. Marcella and the girls then moved to the city of Arcadia where Marcella worked at the Arcadia Creamery.

Marcella's father Albert worked on the railroad and decided to play matchmaker by introducing her to a co-worker, Gordon I. Zimmerman, who had also lost his spouse.

Albert must have seen something there because Marcella and Gordon were united in marriage in 1958, also at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Marcella, Sharon and Betty then moved to Fairchild and made their home with Gordon and his young son, Gordy Jr. In 1990, Gordon passed away after celebrating 32 years of marriage.

Over the years Marcella was known for her delicious poppy seed coffeecakes which were often the first items to be sold at the St. John's Catholic Church bake sales. She did a great deal of canning of meats, fruits and vegetables, but her pickles were exceptional because each pickle was individually scrubbed and placed in rows according to their size in the jar. The aroma of fresh baked bread could be smelled in the house on a weekly basis. Marcella loved to collect dolls and was always willing to show them off. Another great pride of hers were her fingernails, (which she did herself and later on with Betty's help) which were polished a new color with decorations every week.

Marcella was an active member of St. John's Catholic Church in Fairchild. For many years she took on the task of washing and ironing the altar cloths, along with the priests' and the altar boys' robes. She also belonged to Saint Mary's Altar Society, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and the National Rural Letter Carriers Auxiliary.

Marcella sold her home in Fairchild and moved to St. Francis Apartments in Eau Claire, where she made many new friends and lived there until her passing.

Marcella was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and she will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Marcella is survived by her daughters, Sister Sharon Mary Giemza of Independence, MO, Betty (Roger) Davis of Eau Claire; son, Gordy (Carla) Zimmerman of Hayward; granddaughter, Jennifer (Dominic) Jacobs and great-grandsons, Dimitri and Damyen of Fleming Island, FL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Marcella was preceded in death by her husbands, Raymond and Gordon Sr.; parents; brother, Paul (Gertrude) Grossman; sisters, Gertrude (Lester) Belinski, Marian (Lew) Schoof, Theresa Grossman; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Mary (Michael) Angst, Edward (Joyce) Giemza, Sister Evelyn Giemza, Stella (Rudy) Suchla, Clarence (Adeline) (Darlene) Giemza.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Fairview, rural Fairchild with Father Greg Michaud officiating. Interment will be at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Cemetery in North Creek. Friends may call one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the church. A rosary will be recited before visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers a memorial can be sent to St. Michaels Archangel Catholic Church.

The family is assisted by the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.

Marcella's family would like to thank everyone who helped her in so many different ways over these past years, especially Dr. Russell Durkee, her Palliative nurse Rhonda Howard and Missy from Heartland Hospice.

Online condolences can be left at andersonfhaugusta.com.