- Date Of Birth: June 28, 1933
- Date Of Death: March 25, 2018
- State: Illinois
Mary J. Opperman-Zenge, 84, of Jacksonville, IL passed away Sunday, March 25, 2018, at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville.
She was born June 28, 1933 in Jacksonville, the daughter of Edward and Ruth Hayes Strubbe. She married Walter Vernon Opperman on April 15, 1956 in Jacksonville and he preceded her in death on March 28, 1985. She later married Keith Zenge on August 31, 1991 in Jacksonville and he survives.
She is survived by a daughter, Cheryl Opperman-Brown of Jacksonville; a granddaughter, Lillie Ann Brown of Jacksonville; three step-children, Terri Watts of Winchester, Steven Zenge (Lorraine) of Auburn, and James Zenge (Heidi) of South Jacksonville; four step-grandchildren, Joseph, Brittany, Brandon, and Sarah Zenge; a brother, Joseph Strubbe (Karen) of Costa Mesa, CA; two sisters, Donna Moody of Jacksonville and Delores Lindsay of Dubuque, IA; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Richard Strubbe (surviving wife, Jeanne of Chapin) and Larry Strubbe.
Mary was a 1951 graduate of Virginia High School and a 1955 graduate of Holy Cross School of Nursing. She served a distinguished career as a registered nurse for Our Savior, Holy Cross, Norris and Passavant Hospital in Jacksonville, retiring in July of 1994.
She was a devoted member of Salem Lutheran Church and Salem Ladies Guild. She was also a member of Our Savior/Holy Cross Alumnae Association, Worthwhile Club, Lutherans for Life, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. She volunteered as a hospice and Prairie Council on Aging volunteer. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and collecting Hummel figurines.
