Ellen "Mae" Ziebell, age 98, of Oshkosh passed away peacefully at Evergreen Retirement Community on Monday, February 7, 2011. Mae was born on June 20, 1912, the daughter of the late Frederick and Olive (Leonard) Jensen in New York Mills, Minnesota. She graduated from Manawa High School in 1930 and was in the same class as Senator Joe McCarthy. She then graduated from Oshkosh Business College and worked as the secretary to the Superintendent of Sunny View Sanitarium. On October 15, 1936 she married Harvey "Jim" Ziebell who preceded her in death in 1966. She worked as a bookkeeper retiring in 1985 at the age of 72. She had worked to that age as she "didn't want to go to seed."
Mae was extremely active using her exercycle daily until a year ago when she broke her hip. She enjoyed traveling and had been to most of the United States and over 40 foreign countries which included a hot air balloon ride in Kenya at the age of 83. Volunteering was a big part of her life. She worked in the Bethel Home Gift Shop until well into her 90's, was a docent at the Paine Arboretum and was President of the School Board when Oaklawn School was built. She was treasurer for many years for Friends of the Oshkosh Public Library, the Oshkosh Seniors Center, and Christ Lutheran Church. She also prepared election board reports for former State Senator Carol Roessler for 16 years. She was always eager to learn and went to many Learning in Retirement classes. Her hands were never idle as she enjoyed gardening, reading and knitting. Many people at Christ Child and ADVOP were the recipients of her work. She also was a very skilled seamstress, quilter, cook, baker, upholsterer, etc. Her stollen and anise cookies at Christmas are legendary. Her family was very important to her and almost everyone has some kind of her handwork.
Mae is survived by her daughters, Sue (Thomas) Steffen of Menasha and Kathleen Zabinske of Fond du Lac; five grandchildren, Erik (Tracey) Steffen of Appleton, Amber Dan of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Robert ( special friend Amy) Lobajeski of Fond du Lac, Brett (Yvette) Lobajeski of Fond du Lac and Nicole Zabinske of Fond du Lac and 11 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Bea Krause of Montello and many nieces and nephews. Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey; parents; four sisters, Paulene, Ruth, Fern and Betty Jane and two brothers, Leonard (June) and Robert.
Funeral service for Mae will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 11, 2011 at Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Church Avenue. A time of visiting and sharing of memories will take place at the church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be in Lake View Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to Christ Lutheran Church or the Oshkosh Seniors Center.
With heartfelt thanks to some very special angels, Dr. John Weber; Molly and Clarissa at Aurora; Pam at Glynn Park; Kim and the staff at Gabriel's Villa; Joy in Physical Therapy at Bethel Home; the staff at Evergreen Retirement Community (especially Creekview North) and her many dear and caring friends.
Seefeld Funeral and
Cremation Services
(920) 236-7750