Mary Zill

Mary Jane "Janie" Zill (Leschke) age 87 of Cleveland, Wisconsin passed away Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the Unity Hospice Jack and Engrid Meng Residence in De Pere, with her loving family by her side.

Mary Jane was born on July 17, 1929 in the town of Newton, WI to Stanley and Emily (Rysticken) Leschke. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc. Mary Jane was united in marriage to Edward Zill on May 22, 1954 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Manitowoc. She was a longtime and active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in School Hill, where she enjoyed assisting the Christian Women. She was also a member of the Cleveland Senior Citizen Club.

Mom was a homemaker when her children were young. Later she worked as a teller at Cleveland State Bank for 18 years. Recently when asked about her banking career she said, "I just loved it!" Mom always put her heart and soul into everything she did. Mom was a gardener her whole life. Her huge vegetable and flower garden was always beautiful. No weeds to be found and enough food to feed family and friends. Mom gardened up until last year when she sold her home and moved to De Pere to be close to her family. Mom always enjoyed being with her family, watching her grandsons grow-up into the wonderful men they have all become was her greatest treasure. She was always their biggest cheerleader in whatever they did. Mom also enjoyed a good game of cards with family and friends. Many special times were shared around the card table.

Mary Jane is survived by her loving children, James (Wendy) Zill of New Franken and Nancy (David) Smits of De Pere; cherished grandchildren, Joshua and Benjamin (Lisha) Zill and Matthew and Bradley Smits; dear siblings-in-law, Leroy Herman of Wauwatosa, Laverne (Larry) Scharenbroch of Newton, Richard Zill of Manitowoc, Joyce Grau of Southern Pines, NC. She is further survived by many wonderful nieces, nephews, other loved relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Emily Leschke; parents-in-law, Hilbert and Ella Zill, daughter, Barbara (1966); sister, Patricia Herman; and her beloved husband of 58 years, Edward Zill (2012).

We invite you to celebrate this wonderful lady with her family at a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (11928 Marken Road, Kiel, WI 53042) with Fr. Patrick Nelson officiating. Family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Mary Jane's family are greatly appreciated.

Mary Jane's family extends a special thank you to Dr. Gautam and all of the nurses and staff at Aurora BayCare Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic who lifted up Mom during these last ten months, and the staff at Unity Hospice Jack and Engrid Meng Residence for their compassionate, loving care given to Mom.