Elaine Barbara (Heinrichs) Zemler

Elaine Barbara (Heinrichs) Zemler

Passed on to heaven on Sept. 3, 2016, in Medical Lake, Wash., at age 81.

Born in Carroll, Iowa, July 18, 1935 to Peter and Rose Heinrichs, Elaine was the second of five children and spent most of her young life in Wilmont, Minn. She, her sisters and cousins, won the 1953 county championship playing for the Wilmont Skellygirls Girls softball team, sponsored by Heinrichs Garage, her father's business. She maintained an interest in all sports throughout her life.

Elaine met her future husband, Eddie, at a roller skating rink during a partner's skate. Elaine was skating with a broom and saw him with somebody else. Accordingly, she traded the broom for the guy, and that was all it took. In May 1955, she married Lt. Edwin Zemler, U.S. Air Force and started her journey as wife and mother.

She had a long career as Cub Scout den mother and Scouting supporter for her four sons who all became Eagle Scouts. She received the Chinook District Distinguished Scouter award in 1971. As an Air Force wife, she followed her husband's career path as it took her to many states including Maine, Texas, California, Nebraska and Louisiana before finally settling in Medical Lake. Elaine and Ed have lived in their home for the last 45 years owning and operating Zemler Rentals.

Elaine is survived by her husband of 61 years, Edwin; and the families of Mark and Tammie Zemler, Paul and Linda Zemler, Gary and Susan Zemler and John and Wanda Zemler. She was always the proud and ever-concerned mother of four boys, her "adopted" daughters (-in-law), 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and will be remembered as a wonderful and dedicated mother and wife.

Visitation will be at Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Homes, 1306 N. Monroe St, Spokane, Wash., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 from 5 – 8 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church, 708 E. Lake St, Medical Lake on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. Burial services will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery, North 7200 Wall St., Spokane.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Medical Lake Fire Dept., P.O. Box 369, 124 S Lefevre St., Medical Lake, WA 99022 in acknowledgement of the wonderful support they have provided during this hard time.