Longtime Estacada resident, Mary-Ellen Zimbelman, died at her home on Monday, May 14, 2018. She was 76.
A celebration of her life will be held 4:30PM, Friday, May 18, 2018, at Peace Lutheran Church. A graveside for her cremated remains will be held at a later date in I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Gregory, South Dakota.
Mary-Ellen Frances Martin was born January 8, 1942, in Newark, New Jersey to George and Elmira (Finney) Martin. She graduated from high school there. She was married and had 2 children Judy and David. She and her children moved to Estacada where she went to work for Timberlake Job Corps in 1976. That is where she met Gil. On July 2, 1977, they were married at Peace Lutheran Church. Gil and Mary-Ellen moved on their property in a camper and later when they built a cabin. They had one child Christina.
Mary-Ellen was a member of the church for over 40 years. She enjoyed sewing, baking, and gardening. She volunteered many hours while Christina was in school.
Survivors include her husband, Gil; daughters, Christina (John) Van Houte, Judy Palmer; son, David Israel; sister, Kathy Martin; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.