Marilyn Ziemke

Marilyn Shar Ziemke, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 1st, at the age of 92. Born on December 29, 1932, she was the cherished daughter of Celia “Ceil” and Simon Shar.

Marilyn married Siegbert “Sig” Ziemke, and together they built a warm and loving home in Livingston, New Jersey, where they raised their two daughters. Family was always at the heart of Marilyn’s life, and her devotion to her loved ones was unwavering.

Earlier in her life, Marilyn worked as a retail buyer for a major department store in New York. After the untimely passing of her sister, Audrey Shar Bloom, at just 28 years old, Marilyn and her mother, Ceil, found healing and purpose through a shared passion for Israel. Their first group trip, organized through Hadassah, was a resounding success. Inspired by that experience, they launched their own travel business, IAT Heritage Tours, and became affectionately known as “the two ladies from Livingston.”

Through IAT Heritage Tours, Marilyn and Ceil brought thousands of Jews and non-Jews alike to Israel. Their tours, which often included bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies on Masada, became cherished experiences for many families, many of whom returned again and again. Their impact was so profound that they filled entire El Al flights with IAT Heritage Tours travelers and were honored multiple times at the Knesset and by other dignitaries. The legacy of their work continues to resonate in the lives they touched.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her sister Audrey Shar Bloom, her parents Celia “Ceil” Shar and Simon Shar, and her beloved husband, Siegbert “Sig” Ziemke.

She is survived by her daughter Karen Ziemke and granddaughter Sara Pekar; her daughter Marjorie Ziemke Shoobe and son-in-law Howard Shoobe; and their daughters, Alexis Shoobe Kortick and Julia Shoobe.

Donations in Marilyn's name made be made to the Lymphoma Research Foundation; www.lymphoma.org.

A funeral service for Marilyn will be held Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039. Following the funeral service will be a burial at Beth Israel Cemetery, 1098 Woodbridge Center Dr, Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095.