Eileen June Zielinski

Eileen June Zielinski

Salem - Died March 29, 2018

Eileen was born in Salem to parents John and Ida Susbauer. She attended school at St. Joseph, Sacred Heart, and Salem High. After a year at Willamette University and a year at Oregon State, she began work as a legal secretary in the state judicial system. On November 24, 1956, she married Stephen E. Zielinski and began her life as spouse, mother of 5 children, business owner, farm wife and community volunteer.

Married over 61 years, Stephen and Eileen loved to travel and spent time on almost every continent. Eileen was devoted to her faith serving through the years as Eucharistic minister, religious education teacher, RCIA sponsor and on various pastoral committees. She also found time to volunteer in schools, agricultural organizations, and social service groups. Eileen served 22 years on the Marion Polk Food Share board holding leadership roles there, as well as at the state and national level in Women for Agriculture and on the Oregon State Board of Agriculture.

Eileen was a very compassionate, intelligent woman who consistently and assertively put forth her views and worked to build a better world. Her ability to juggle farm life while raising kids and inspiring others to volunteer was tremendous. Even as life slowed down, she continued to create and lead new community assets, such as the non-denominational monthly Keizer Community Dinner at St. Edward.

Surviving Eileen is her husband of 61 years, Stephen, and five children: Mary (Mark Bogert), Mark (Sharon), Kevin (Vicki), Theresa (Bill Haskins), and John (Jeanne). Eileen also celebrated many years of joy with 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Rosary is at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 13, followed at 10:30 by the Celebration of Life, St. Edward Catholic Church,5305 River Rd N., Keizer. Internment at Brooks Catholic Cemetery. Donations can be made to St Edward's Building Fund or Marion-Polk Food Share.