MIDDLETON - Elizabeth Green Zillmer, age 98, a long-time resident of Middleton, Wis., passed away at Oakwood Village University Woods in Madison, on February 27, 2025. Her husband, Spencer Zillmer, died on April 29, 2020, at age 96, after a short illness.
Born in Viola, Wis., on July 11, 1926, the second daughter of Alonzo and Mabel Miller Green, Elizabeth attended schools in the Viola area. Later the family moved to rural Cazenovia where she graduated from high school.
As the daughter and granddaughter of teachers, it was only natural that she pursued a teaching career at UW-La Crosse. Upon graduation, she accepted a position teaching English and civics at Tomah High School, which she held for ten years.
On April 5, 1958, Elizabeth married Spencer Zillmer at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ridgeville. They made their home in Middleton, Wis., and she accepted a teaching position at Middleton High School, which she held until her retirement in 1978.
On July 19, 1959, Elizabeth was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Madison, Wis., by the Rev. Alvin Berg.
Elizabeth was an avid reader throughout her life.
In addition to her parents, Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Spencer; three sisters, Marjorie, Phyllis (Jones) and Shirley; and a brother, Charles; plus many relatives and friends.
Spencer Edward Zillmer, son of Leo and Lela (Grossman) Zillmer, was born on May 13, 1923, in the Town of Little Falls, Cataract, Wis. On June 17, 1923, he was baptized at Frieden Lutheran Church (now Faith Lutheran Church) at Cataract, Wis., by the Rev. Arthur Berg. Fourteen years later he was confirmed at that same church by the Rev. L. M. Bleichwehl.
When Spencer was 14, the family moved to a farm at Ridgeville, nine miles south of Tomah. He farmed with his father and later ran the Ridgeville store and tavern on the family farm.
After his marriage to Elizabeth Green in 1958, and after a year at Coyne Electric and Electronics School in Chicago, Spencer started working at Clyde’s Home Appliance Center in Madison, a company he was affiliated with until his retirement in 1986. Spencer worked in delivery, repair, and sales and eventually became sales manager and part-owner of the company.
Spencer enjoyed gardening, golf, and travel.
Spencer was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ruth Kortbein Eckelberg and Betty Nasgovitz; brothers, Lester and Wayne; and many relatives and friends. His sister, Joan Rosenow, died in 2024.
Both Spencer and Elizabeth were active members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Madison, since 1964. Spencer served as usher and greeter and sang in the choir for years.
Services for Spencer could not be held after he died in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, so services for both Elizabeth and Spencer will be held at OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1701 McKenna Blvd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, with Pastor Philip Moldenhauer and Pastor Caleb Bassett officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Private burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah, Wis.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care
