Eleanor Mae Zimmerman

The spirit of her beloved Northwood’s, a true Islander, the original Boss Lady, the ultimate cook and baker, a hooks and needles artist with yarn as her color, the author of a mountain of heartwarming letters, the homecoming for her family throughout the United States and a daily victor of crossword and word search puzzles and doing all of this with a splash of red lipstick, has passed on after almost, not quite 101 years.

Eleanor Mae was born on December 20th, 1918 to Wilbur and Gertrude (Ten Eyck) Johnson of Mercer Lake, Wisconsin. Eleanor Mae passed away peacefully on October 1st, 2019 in Appleton, Wisconsin surrounded by family.

Before moving to Appleton, Wisconsin to be near family due to failing health, Eleanor lived the very best years of her life in Minocqua, Wisconsin. On Mercer Lake, she raised 4 wonderful children whose lives filled her with tremendous pride. In Minocqua, she met and married her loving husband Elmer. To many kids who attended school in the Minocqua area, Eleanor is remembered as the lunch lady who provided them with the best part of their day‚Ķ a hot lunch. Her dedication to making sure every student, including staff, had a nutritious hot lunch is still receiving rave reviews! If leading the meal program for the MHLT School District wasn’t enough work, Eleanor also served lunches during the summer months at Kelliher’s, downtown Minocqua (truth be told, Eleanor loathed the annual pilgrimage of tourists who in her mind, interrupted the calm of her beloved Northwoods). After her retirement from MHLT, Eleanor and Elmer spent their golden years welcoming children and grandchildren back home to family reunion style gatherings with food and more food (all wrapped excessively in plastic wrap) as well as partaking in meals at favorite local establishments. Eleanor loved good food. Great memories for sure!

To say Eleanor was a strong woman is an understatement. She had opinions on everything and was an expert at giving directions to others…even from her bed! She endured the pain and sadness of losing three of her children, one grandson, her husband Elmer and all of her siblings. Despite these losses, she moved forward always making sure her family knew she loved them every chance she could - letters and cards on the regular, phone calls, boxes of her cookies, presents, handmade afghans and slippers galore! Eleanor always cherished her visits with her brothers and sisters and looked forward to sharing family updates. Eleanor was a longtime member of the Methodist Church of the Pines.

Eleanor is survived by her daughter Doris Pich, Indiana, a daughter-in-law, Judie Cuthbert, Oshkosh, and a son in-law, Keith Zimmerman, Appleton. Eleanor leaves beautiful memories behind for her grandchildren; Gay (James) Lemmers, Joy (Lee) St John, James Pich, Thomas Pich, John (Sarah) Pich, Maria (Daniel) Mnookin, (Anissa), Scott (Cassidy) Cuthbert, Amy (Greg) Sivard. Her great-grandchildren; Quinn (Aubree), Lucy (Derek), Isabelle, Dylan, Joseph, Sarah (Jeff), Andrew, Aaron, Justin, Jayson, Thomas, Joseph, Oliva, Elizabeth, Nikki (Nathan), Vincent, Elise, Marshall and Jack. Her great-great grandchildren; Jayce, Zackery, Tatum, Mariah, Lewyn and Baby Peeters on the way.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Zimmerman, her loving children; Agnes Cuthbert, Judy Zimmerman and Tom Cuthbert and a beautiful grandson Stephen Pich. Her beloved sisters and brothers; Mary Engstrom, Grace McNutt, Helen Grundy, Lawrence Johnson, Thomas Johnson and William Johnson.

With great love and respect, Eleanor’s family will carry her back to her Northwoods where she will be laid to rest in a private ceremony.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at The Bridges of Appleton for all the tender care given to Eleanor over the years. To the staff of Compassus Hospice, thank you for the care and attention you gave to Eleanor in her final days.