Obit: Ziehr, Mary Elizabeth (1911 - 2005)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Surnames: Ziehr, Hodouschek, Blumenthaler, Dunigan, Draves, Chandler, Svetlik, Goodman

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, WI) November 9, 2005

Ziehr, Mary Elizabeth (August 28, 1911 - November 2, 2005)

Mary Ziehr, age 94, of Neillsville, died Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at the Memorial Nursing Home in Neillsville, Wis.

Mary Elizabeth Ziehr, was born on August 28, 1911, in Pecsbanyatelepi, Hungary, the daughter of Frank and Rose (Hodouschek) Blumenthaler. When Mary was two years old her family came to Ellis Island, NY and settled in Pennsylvania. Later they moved to Michigan and eventually to Merrillan, where Mary attended school. Mary and her family later moved to Cadott, and operated a restaurant.

It was in Cadott that Mary met Dr. Raymond H Ziehr and they were united in marriage on June 19, 1937 in Cadott. After marriage, they moved to Augusta, where Raymond worked as a dentist and Mary raised their family. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and their Altar Guild in Augusta and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville, Wis. Mary and Raymond always had a huge garden, and Mary enjoyed canning, baking and sewing.

Mary is survived by two daughters, Marlene (James) Dunigan of Stevens Point; and Jeannine (Jerry) Draves of Dodgeville; a son, James (Phyllis) Ziehr of Madison; seven grandchildren, Susan (Michael) Chandler and Michael (Kim) Ziehr, all of McFarland; Mark (Cindy) Ziehr Chicago, IL; Stephanie Draves of Brooklyn, NY; Amie Draves of Dodgeville; Brian and Eric Dunigan of Stevens Point; four great-grandchildren, Carlie and Olivia Chandler; and Anabella and Alayna Ziehr; also two sisters, Ann (Tony) Svetlik of Neillsville; Irene Goodman of Orangeville, Ontario, Canada; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Raymond H Ziehr; a son, Thomas; her parents, Frank and Rose Blumenthaler; one sister Catherine Svetlik; and two brothers, George and Frank Blumenthaler.

The Mass of Christian burial for Mary will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, November 9, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville, Wis. The Very Reverend Woodrow H Pace will officiate. Providing music will be Ronald Resong, organist, Rita Kuchenbecker, soloist and St. Mary’s Choir. Visitation time will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville, Wis. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Casket Bearers are Jerry Draves, Jim, Mark and Michael Ziehr, Michael Chandler and Eric Arnold.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 2427 N. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona, WI 54720.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Mary’s family with funeral arrangements.