Mary Lynn “Emmy” Raimer

NAPLES, FL – Mary Lynn “Emmy” Raimer, nee Moran, 73, of Naples, FL, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren, on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

Emmy was born on September 25, 1945, in Portage, WI, the youngest of three daughters, to the late Clifford (Rocky) Moran and the late Mary Mittelstaedt Moran. 

Emmy was a courageous and determined woman who left Portage, WI, to move to Naples, FL, in 1986. Soon after she arrived, Emmy went to work at Royal Poinciana Golf Club where she stayed for 30 years. She was retired for the past seven years. One of Emmy’s greatest joys was children. While they lived on W. Burns Street in Portage, Emmy used to take her kids, nieces and all the neighbor kids, down to the railroad depot on W. Oneida Street to greet the train. Steve, Doug or Grampa Neal were always on one of them.

She loved cooking and baking for everyone. The elementary teachers used to love receiving her homemade pumpkin bread at Christmas time. Emmy loved to be home. If you ever stopped by to visit, you would find her cleaning, listening to music (Mathis, Manilow, Streisand, The Lettermen), doing laundry with her candles lit and a dish towel thrown over her shoulder. Emmy was a true friend to those she held dearest. To know her was to embrace and love her energy; it was contagious! Emmy was voted best “gentle tickler” by all of her grandkids, ages 19-27, whom she tickled up to the end. Emmy loved spending any time possible with her two sisters laughing; they were the three Moran girls.

Emmy always shared her wisdom, love and support unconditionally. One of her greatest gifts was showing and teaching “forgiveness.” She always said, “Open your heart and don’t be afraid to love.”

Emmy is survived by her three children, Jeffrey (Jolie) Raimer, Naples, FL, Janice (Tony) Kapel, Portage, JoAnn (Mike) Cahill, Waunakee, WI, and the father of her children, Steven Raimer, Naples FL. Emmy’s greatest joy was spoiling her seven grandchildren, Devon (Jake Harcarik), Joshua (Julia) and Bailee Jo Raimer, Emma (Logan Kuhn) and Tony Kapel, Jr., Ellie and Mason Cahill. Emmy is also survived by her two sisters, Kathy (Bill) Hilgendorf and Tykie Simonson, both of Portage. Emmy leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, and in-laws, Holly (Rick) Denman, Sue (Dean) Achterberg, Dawn (Dan) Ableman, Julie Simonson Paske, Gina (Dan) Metzger, Jodi (Ryan) Grendahl, JD (Jen) Raimer, Amber (Matt) Denure, AJ (Sarah) Agnew, Neal Agnew, Doug (Sally) Raimer and Mary (Mike) Agnew. Emmy was preceded in death by her parents, Rocky and Mary, niece, Jill Oehlhoff, brother-in-law, Tom Simonson and great-nephew, Mike Denman.

Emmy’s loving heart and kind soul will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Our memories will always be filled with her beautiful smile, giving heart, boundless energy and pure joy of our blessed time together in this world with her.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, July 21, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., at Portage United Methodist Church in Portage, with Rev. Tom Countryman officiating. A luncheon will be held at the church followed by inurnment at St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:30 until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.

The family would like to thank the staff at Avow Hospice in Naples for their care and support.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.