Mary Jane Meister

Mary Jane Lorraine Meister (nee Zingsheim) entered Eternal Life on Saturday, October 28th, 2023, at the age of 84. She was born November 14th, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Leonard and Lorraine (nee Gehrke) Zingsheim.

Mary Jane went to St. John’s Catholic High School in Milwaukee and was united in marriage to Jerrold (Jerry) Meister after graduating. The couple bought their first house in the College Heights Subdivision where they started their family. After Catherine, Thomas and Jeanne were born, Jerry and Mary had their dream house built on Milwaukee’s South Side. Shortly thereafter, their youngest son Daniel was born.

Mary was a dedicated mother. While taking care of four children, cooking meals, baking and keeping her home immaculate, Mary found time to volunteer in her children’s activities. Mary served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and a Cub Scout Den Leader and also was very active in her children’s education by volunteering with the school’s Parent Teacher Association.

She kindly opened her home to a bunch of rambunctious kids and teenagers. She hosted many children’s birthday parties complete with a homemade cake as well as many extended family celebrations.

In the mid 80’s, Mary stepped outside of her comfort zone and obtained her driver’s license. Shortly after starting to drive, she began working outside the home. Mary continued to show her passion for children by becoming a daycare teacher in Milwaukee and did continuing education to support her career.

Her marriage of 64 years to Jerry is another testament of her enduring love of her family. Mary was a dedicated and loving grandmother and provided care for many of her grandchildren.

Mary had several special friends at her recent home, The Regency in Brookfield. They were the three “M’s” (Mary, Marilyn and Mona). She always looked forward to playing Bingo and won often as well as Left, Right, Center. Her prayer book was always by her and she loved reading and doing crossword puzzles.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Jerrold, her parents, and her siblings, Audrey, Lenore and Robert. Surviving Mary are her children Catherine (William) James, Thomas (Susan) Meister, Jeanne Lien and Daniel (Katherine) Meister. Mary also has 14 grandchildren whom she was proud of and loved so very much: Lauren, Aaron, Nicholas, Max, Nathan, Samantha, Jacob, Mia, Mason, Mitchell, Kelsey, Maddie, Olivia and Isabel. She is also survived by her nieces Barbara Anderson, Pamela Riedl, and Laura Muehe, and nephew Bruce Ulbrich. She had a special relationship with Barbara as they lived together as children.

Mary’s family would like to thank the staff at Ascension Hospital – Elmbrook Campus, Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital of Milwaukee, and Unity Lutheran Church of Brookfield for their compassionate care and support.

There will be a private service.

Anyone choosing to remember Mary Jane in a special way may donate to or support the Gals on the Go Project, 383 Williamstowne Drive – Suite 101, Delafield, Wisconsin, 53018; a mental health foundation supporting children and adolescents. www.galsonthegoproject.com