We have lost another family member.

I don’t know what to say. Sometimes in one’s lifetime you meet people that have an impact on your life. You don’t realize it at the time, but years later you have that aha moment that says yah…..that person had an impact on my life. Chick was one of those persons for me. Whether it be not to slide the the word peace when singing the Christmas song Silent Night (and cringing every time you hear someone do it now) or thinking about her and days gone by every time you smell anise candy. She was a lovely lady with a lot to give. She will be missed greatly by all who loved her.

Alice Ethel Zell was born in Mishicot, Wis., on April 7, 1913, the oldest child of Pastor Edward Zell and Alice nee Jindra. She departed this life to be with the Lord Jesus, her Savior and friend, on April 7, her birthday, at the age of exactly 96 years.

As an infant she was received into God’s Kingdom of Grace through Holy Baptism, and thereby also became a member of St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church of Mishicot. Although her place of residence changed several times during her professional career her membership with St. Peter’s congregation remained uninterrupted throughout her lifetime. That membership included service to her Lord and to the congregation as organist for 75 years, director of a ladies choir and mixed choir for 68 years, Sunday School teacher, and member of the congregation’s Ladies Bible Hour for 70 years

Better known to friends and family as “Chick,” Alice began her education in the Mishicot State Graded School and continued it through Mishicot High School. She graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1930. After a short period of employment at the Mishicot State Bank, she attended Manitowoc County Normal School, graduating in 1932. Her teaching career included a number of years in the one-room rural schools of Manitowoc Co., first at Jambo Creek, then at Gjerpen (rural Valders), and last at Pine Grove (Steiner’s Corner),

In 1939 she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She graduated from the university in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health. Her first place of employment was at Williams Bay High School, Williams Bay, Wis. In 1943 she began her work with the Sheboygan Falls School District. Her duties included service on all grade levels as a teacher of health and physical education, coaching, and to the consternation of many but at the same time earning their respect, as unofficial and unpaid student disciplinarian. She retired from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1983 after influencing the lives of 3 generations of students over a period of 40 years.

Her service to the school and the community was recognized when in her honor the newly developed and expanded Sheboygan Falls High School athletic field and track was named “Zell Field.” It was a fitting tribute to a teacher whose diligence and faithfulness over so many years touched the lives of hundreds of pupils and students. Her reputation was that of one who practiced “tough love” before the term was even coined. Her hobby was other people’s children and her special love was teenagers.

She is survived by two sisters, Ruth Zarling, and Hazel Barthels (Oscar), and by one brother, Pastor William Zell (Marian), all of Mishicot, and by one sister-in-law, Jayne Zell of Westland, Mich. She will also be remembered and missed by many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and by their children and their grandchildren, as well as by numerous friends and acquaintances. In her lifetime as a sister and a maiden aunt she cut a wide swath. She will not be forgotten by those who knew her. She has not been forgotten by her Savior who by his perfect redemption reserved a place for her in his Father’s House.

Alice was preceded in death by one sister, Evelyn who died in infancy, by her parents, by one brother, Pastor Edward Zell, by one brother-in-law, Pastor Waldemar Zarling, and by many who over the years were very close to her. Memorials may be directed to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Mishicot, Wis., to Manitowoc Lutheran High School, Manitowoc, Wis., or according to the donor’s choice.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 9, at St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Mishicot, with the Reverend Robert Johannes officiating, with burial to follow in the Mishicot Public Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call after 9 a.m. at the church, until the time of service at 11 a.m. There will be no Wednesday Evening visitation. The Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home of Mishicot is assisting the Zell family with funeral arrangements.

Herald Times Reporter

April 8, 2009