Mary Elaine Zimmerman

PORTAGE – Mary Elaine Zimmerman was called to her eternal home on January 20, 2016, at the age of 80. She was dearly loved by many friends and family and will be deeply missed. Mary was married to John Rainey on June 1, 1957, and to this union was born six children: Wayne Rainey (deceased), Cindy (Brian) Smith of Portage, Dale (Sharon) Rainey of Montello, Russ (Dawn) Rainey of Montello, Mary Jo (Terry) Leege of Baraboo and Duane (Kelly) Rainey of Endeavor.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton and Gertrude Merryfield; two brothers, Wade and Duane Merryfield; former husband, John Rainey; and their dearly-loved son, Wayne Rainey.

She leaves behind her beloved husband of 18 years, Sheldon Zimmerman of Endeavor; her children; daughter-in-law, Debbie (Rainey) Paske of Portage; 1 stepson, Steve Zimmerman of Endeavor, 12 grandchildren, Michael Heitke, Melissa (Dean) Christman, Shanon Smith, Eric Smith, Jessica Schmidt, Toni Schmidt, Danielle Rainey, Sarah (Fred) Jones, Amber (Matthias) Gimnick, Alicia (Joey) Rivas, Christian (Lyssa) Leege; 1 step grandson, Jake Zimmerman; 18 great grandchildren; 3 sisters, Joy (Dennis) Scheel of Howard, South Dakota, Fay (Bruce) Hanson of Madison, Donna Tosh of Madison; and many nieces and nephews that she loved like they were her own children.

Our mother spent most of her life doing the things she enjoyed most, like spending time with her family, camping, working puzzles and playing games. She was gifted with a talent for crocheting beautiful afghans, doilies, scarves, including her famed slippers that everyone in the family has always cherished. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and she leaves us with a legacy of endless Christmas decorations and family traditions. Our mother was a little woman, feisty as a firecracker, with a big heart that she continually shared with her big family. She will be greatly missed and loved forever.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 29, 2016 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage, with the Rev. Greg Hovland officiating.  Burial will be in Douglas Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the church.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Divine Savior staff for the care they gave to our beloved mother.