"Be Thou Faithful unto Death, and I will give you a Crown of Life."
Revelations 2:10
On Friday, April 15th, Lillian Lydia Zunker entered Paradise to live forever with her Lord and Savior. She had reached the age of 83 years.
Lillian was born July 10th 1927, in the town of Wausau, the daughter of the late John and Irene (Wilke) Pophal. Lillian was baptized and confirmed at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau. After the early death of her mother Irene, Lillian received the gift of a loving and wonderful step-mother, Marie (Maas-Schomann) Pophal.
On June 22nd 1946, Lillian married Raymond Zunker at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau. After their marriage they both became members at her husband's church, Trinity Lutheran Church, town of Wausau. Mom loved going to services at Trinity until she could no longer attend because of her health. After Mom became homebound, she anticipated and loved the visits of her pastor.
In the 22 years of their marriage, Raymond and Lillian gave birth to, and began to raise their family of, 13 children. On June 1st 1968 Raymond died at the age of 50, leaving Mom, who was 40 years old, to take care of and raise her 13 children, whose ages were 3 months through 21 years. With the help of God, Mom kept the family together and the 13 children eventually grew up and had families of their own. During the "good" years following the early death of her husband, Mom raised her children to the very best of her abilities; and during the "darker, shadowy" years of emotional and mental distress, the roles of parent and child were reversed, and the children cared for their Mother. Throughout her life, Mom was always so happy and proud to say to any new acquaintance, or even those who knew full well, "I have 13 children!"
On July 30th 1983, Lillian married Norbert Schoessow at Trinity Lutheran Church. He preceded her in death in January 2000.
In November 2003, Mom moved to the Louze Adult Family Home, rural Wausau, where she enjoyed many years of care with Louanne and Earl Louze. Mom was especially happy at the Louze Home because her daughter, Debbie, was also living there. It was during this time that Mom truly enjoyed the friendship of a neighborhood friend, Rita Seymour. Mom and Rita often enjoyed each others company playing rummy cards.
In April 2010, Mom moved to Poplar Place Senior Assisted Living, Rothschild. Mom loved her home at Poplar Place and she loved all the wonderful, caring ladies who took care of her and became her friends. Mom truly enjoyed participating in all the activities at Poplar Place, especially bingo! To the very end, Mom loved to play her game of rummy 500 cards and she also very much enjoyed doing her word search puzzles. These pastimes kept her mind very sharp and enabled her to find calmness and joy in the company of family and friends.
Lillian is survived by her 13 children; Ronald "Laura Dulin" Zunker, Henderson, NV, Donna (Ken) Baumann, Oshkosh, Patti (Larry) Kufahl, Gene (Terri) Zunker, Janet (Bob) Hilber, Sandy (Paul) Burger, Ken (Barb) Zunker, Nancy (Ron) Rodemeier, Debbie Zunker and Darsi (Al) Baumann, all of Wausau, Darlene (Glen) Pupp, Weston, Roger (Stacy) Zunker, Wittenberg, and Shari (Dave) Whitney, Wheat Ridge, CO. Lillian was very proud to be "Grandma" to 27 grandchildren; and "Great Grandma Lillian" to 35 great grand children. Lillian is further survived by her sisters, Helen Strohman, Marshfield and Alice (Eddie) Beahm, Frostproof, FL; her step-sister, Audrey (Howard) Miller, Bellvue, IA; and a brother, Alfred (Delores) Pophal, Wausau.
Along with her parents and husbands, Lillian was preceded in death by her step-mother; and her sister, Frances Kunze.
A service celebrating the Victory of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, in remembrance of Lillian's Christian life and death will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, 4103 N. 69thStreet, town of Wausau. Family and friends may visit Tuesday, April 19th 2011, from 9:00am until 11:00 a.m. at the church. Church services will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. Pastor William Metter will officiate. Mom will be laid to rest beside her husband, Raymond, in the Mechanics Ridge Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers are Mom's eldest grandson from each of the 13 siblings' families; James Baumann, Cory Kufahl, Jade Zunker, Travis Wimmer, Clint Burger, Wayne Zunker, Lucas Rodemeier, Robert Zunker, and twins Maxwell and Mitchell Baumann.
The family would like to take this opportunity to express their sincere and heartfelt appreciation to Nancy Fisker and the entire, loving staff at Poplar Place Home and also to the wonderful staff of Asera Care Hospice. The love, care and support given to Lillian and her family is a gift from their hearts and will be a blessing never to be forgotten. Thank you also to Dr. Matthew Clark and Dr. Gabriel Ticho for the many years of care given to our Mother.
"I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and he who lives and believes in Me will never die."
John 11:25-26
Visitation
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (Town of Wausau)
4103 North 69th Street
Wausau, WI 54403
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Service
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (Town of Wausau)
4103 N. 69th Street
Wausau, WI 54403
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
11:00 AM
Cemetery
Mechanic's Ridge Cemetery
Town of Wausau, WI
Tuesday, April 19, 2011