Marleen A. Zimmer

Marleen Anne Zimmer, 85, of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 7, 2021 after a long illness. She was born in Chicago, IL on June 8, 1935 to Peter and Marcella (Maurer) Pytlik and later grew up in Villa Park, IL. Marleen graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst, IL and then went on to Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. There she was a cheerleader for the Hilltoppers football and basketball teams. During her sophomore year of college, she met her husband, Richard. Their roommates secretly planned for Marleen to ride home on Rich’s motorcycle while attending a Marquette function. That is all it took for the two of them to fall in love. She graduated in 1957 with her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and married Richard on June 29, 1957 at St. Alexander’s in Villa Park, IL. They moved to Rockford, IL in 1959.

Marleen was an active longtime member of Holy Family Catholic Church. She was active in the Altar and Rosary guild and volunteered as a physical education teacher there before the physical education program started when it was formerly call Cathederal. She substitute taught while her children were growing up and later taught at St. Bernadette while getting her teacher’s certificate from Rockford College and junior high math at Holy Family until her retirement.

Marleen was a founder and board member of the Highcrest Girls Softball League in the 70’s and 80’s where she coached many age levels. She was instrumental in starting the junior high girls’ athletic programs in parochial schools. Marleen also coached girls’ volleyball and basketball at Holy Family and basketball at St. Bernadette.

Marleen enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play sports. Marleen was a huge Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs fan.

Marleen enjoyed playing golf, cards, and games with her family and friends. She was an active member of golf and bridge groups. She loved to travel on vacations with her husband and children. Marleen spent several summer vacations at cabins in northern Wisconsin where she made memories with her family at various lakes.

Marleen is survived by her husband of 63 years; Richard; her children, Pete (Kim) Zimmer of Bradenton, FL, Larry (Susan) Zimmer of WI, Mary Babb of Freeport, IL, Cathy Morrow of Roscoe, IL, Joe Zimmer of Lake Geneva, WI, and Sharon (Pete) Peterson of Knoxville, TN; her grandchildren, Dan (Melissa), Chris (Sarah), Taryn (Dusan), Marcy, Forrest, Kary (Casey), Zach (Heidi), Erika (Shane), Chad, Rachel, Lauren, Eric, Alexandra, Ian, Isabella, Emilia, and Anastasia; her great-grandchildren, Jannick, Jase, Gracie, Harper, Yohan, Cora, Layla, and Lidia. She is preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Marcella; brother, Earl Pytlik; sister, Sharon Deming; son, Matthew Zimmer; sons-in-laws, Daryl Babb and Bill Morrow; and daughter-in-law Deborah Newton.

A walk-through visitation will be held on Sunday, March 14, 2021, from 2-3:45PM with a rosary at 3:45PM at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel. 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL 61103. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines must be followed. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, March 15, 2021 at 11:00AM. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd., Rockford, IL 61107. Burial at Scandinavian Cemetery, Rockford, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Marleen’s name to The Pat Summit Foundation (for Alzheimer’s), 520 W Summit Hill Dr, Suite 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902 or via patsummit.org. Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel. 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL 61103. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com