Marion Jeane Zimmerschied

Marion Jeane (Jellis) Morton Zimmerschied, age 86, died peacefully in her sleep, Sunday, June 12, 2011. She was born August 17, 1924, in Winona, Minnesota to Mary (May) Gilsdorf and John E. Jellis. Marion and her two sisters, Mildred and Marjorie were born in the same house as their father; the girls grew up in Winona and graduated from Winona Senior High School. Marion was in the Class of ’42. Raised in the Depression, they always had the necessities, but never the luxuries.

During the war years, Marion was working her way through Winona State Teachers College at a drug store as a “soda jerk”. One day, a tall, Texan soldier came in and on impulse, Marion invited him home to a family dinner; she married Sam Morton six months later on June 5, 1943. What followed were three sons and 20 years of traveling around the country and Europe as an army wife.

Michael was born in St. Paul in 1946 and Patrick at Ft. Lewis in 1954. Timothy was adopted in 1961 in Austria while the family was stationed in Italy.

After Sam’s retirement from the army, in 1968, the family settled in Mason County. Marion’s first job was as a postal worker on a downtown route. It was that year that Mason County had one of the worst winters with lots of snowfall so when Marion was offered a position at the Mason County Health department, she took it! For 19 years Marion served as the executive secretary deputy registrar for the Mason County Health Department; she did a variety of jobs including registering births, deaths and paternity in the county before she retired in 1992. In May of that year, as Marion and Sam were making travel plans, Sam died in a car accident.

In 1996 Marion married Norman Zimmerschied, a longtime family friend. They had a wonderful time traveling to Europe, Hawaii, and visiting family and friends around the country. There was always a game of pinochle, Shanghai, or Mexican Train to be played. Marion usually had a little variation on the rules that had to be accommodated with much laughter. Family members and friends enjoyed her raspberry and strawberry jam, popovers, custard, and pecan pies. It was a fun place everyone looked forward to visiting.

Marion’s hobbies included hiking in the Olympics with friends, going to the ocean, writing short articles, bowling at the Shelton Bowling alley, swimming before work many mornings at the high school, and knitting all kinds of items for family such as sweaters, blankets, hats, and scarves. Patterns were intricate, colorful, and beautifully done. She did volunteer work for the American Red Cross as a Gray Lady and other organizations. She was on the cradle roll for the Methodist Church and continued her membership throughout her life. However, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy. Her eyes always sparkled when she spoke of her grandchildren’s latest visits and adventures.

Marion was predeceased by her first husband, Samuel B. Morton (1992), sister Mildred Holden, sons: Patrick W. E. Morton (1973) and Timothy D.J. Morton (2001). She is survived by her husband, Norman Charles Zimmerschied of Shelton, Washington, and a sister, Marjorie Belk of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Marion is also survived by her son, Michael Samuel John Morton and his wife, Bette from La Center, Washington. Grandchildren include John Morton (Welches, OR), Brendan Morton (Hillsboro, OR), Erinn Hubbard (Mukilteo, WA), Jesse Morton (Centennial, CO), Ethan and Keagan Morton, (La Pine, OR), Jeffery and Jessica Coss (Kennewick, WA). Seven great-grandchildren will miss their Grandma Z: Piper, Gavin, Logan, Carson, and Brady Morton, Cade Cooke, and Reece Hubbard.

Memorial services will be held at the Union Fire Hall, 4th and Seattle Street, Union, WA on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 11:30 AM with Pastor Terry Oliver officiating. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Community Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted (CSBPS) at 9709 Third Ave. NE, #100, Seattle, WA 98115-2027.