Marty J. Ziemer

Obituary's Biography:

Marty J Ziemer of Grayslake passed away early Monday morning on February 17 at Condell Hospital. In her typical stubborn fashion, she refused to listen to the staff who were sure she was going to pass away on Sunday.

Marty was born in Oconto, WI in 1947 and was the youngest of nine. She is preceded in death by her siblings Bobby, Delores, Dorothy and Margaret and is survived by Ronald, Elaine, Joan and Mary Therese. She is also survived by her daughter, Kim and her son, Keith, as well as her grandchildren Thomas, Daniel, Kate and Daxton. She had as many nieces and nephews as there are grains of sand on a beach. Marty also will be missed by many friends. Special mention to her friend Barb who was one of the first neighbors Marty met when she moved to Grayslake in 1975 and has remained one of her best friends since then.

Marty earned her masters degree in clinical social work from George Williams College and opened her  private practice in 1987. She never advertised, and grew her practice from referrals and word of mouth. She will be greatly missed by her current and prior clients. She loved what she did, and often said she learned as much from her clients as she taught them. She never stopped working, and had a full day of therapy sessions scheduled on the day she died.

Marty lived a life of adventure; she spent many years riding her motorcycle and traveling (she especially loved Ireland and Oregon), eating at restaurants with friends and spending time with her dogs. She always listened closely, did not judge and was always willing to help. She was generous with her time, and enjoyed drinking a Stella beer while sitting on her patio with a friend. Marty would always say the worst swear word in the dictionary is “should.” Fiercely independent, she lived life on her terms and never really worried about what others might say. She often drove too fast, could never remember her passwords and tried to recycle everything. She liked listening to Josh Groban, Billy Joel and John Denver (“Take Me Home Country Roads” was the last song she heard.)

Per her request there will be no funeral service, possibly because she knew she would find a way to be late to it. Instead, please honor her memory by planting something, creating something or writing something in a journal. All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.