Ellen Mae Zemek

Ellen Mae Zemek passed away on May 28, 2021 in Kalamazoo at the age of 83. She was born July 7, 1937, the daughter of the late Stanley and Helen (Plucinski) Kempa. She graduated from the Iron River High School. She was preceded in death by five older brothers, Frank, Walter, Joseph, Ben and Robert Kempa and her two older sisters Rose and Sophie. After high school Ellen moved to Chicago, Illinois to begin her career as an administrative assistant. That is where she met the love of her life and then married John Theodore Zemek on November 9, 1957. They celebrated 59 years together before his death on January 21, 2017. Ellen retired from Youth Services Opportunities. She is survived by three children, David (Marilyn) Zemek of Palm Desert, CA, Nancy (Scott) Muffley of Portage, MI and Michael (Laura) Zemek of Lowell, MI; and four grandchildren, Jordyn & Josie Muffley and Blake & Josh Zemek. Ellen excelled in sports. She was an avid bowler, golfer and tennis player. Her true passion was cooking. Anyone that knew her enjoyed her incredible meals and guaranteed they still have a recipe or two of hers. After 25 years living on Eagle Lake in Texas Corners, Ted and Ellen moved out to South Haven for several years and eventually settled down in Scotts/Vicksburg to be closer to their grandkids. Her pride and love for her grandchildren was apparent with the endless hours spent at ball fields and hockey rinks. She knew her cooking was another sure way to get her family together. She was a parishioner at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will begin at 10:00am with a Memorial Mass beginning at 11:00am on Friday, June 25th, 2021 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Vicksburg, 5855 East W Avenue, with Msgr. Thomas Martin, presider. Memorials may be directed to St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Please visit Ellen’s personalized web page for directions, online guest book or to leave a condolence. www.mccowensecord.com