Obituary: Marilyn E. Traver

Marilyn E. Traver, of West Allis, died on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at Seasons Hospice surrounded by her family at the age of 77 years.

Marilyn was born on Jan. 28, 1935, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Leo and N. Emelia Heaney.  She was a devoted member of Jackson Park Lutheran Church for 50 years.  Marilyn served on their Anniversary Committee, was active in the Couples Club and the bowling league.   She was the chair of the prayer chain, a former confirmation teacher, she established the card ministry and helped establish the Helping Hand Fund.

Marilyn also became involved in the Women of Faith Bible Study Group at   She was a 14-year survivor of leukemia and had survived with breast cancer since 1988.  Marilyn had a warm heart for people and she would visit shut ins, send cards to cheer anyone that needed a smile and never forgot the value of attending a funeral to offer support to a family.   She loved the theatre, musicals and old movies. Marilyn enjoyed watching car racing and actively worked the Channel 10 auction with her husband for many years.  She was also a member of MADD. Marilyn was a member of the Image Reborn Breast Cancer Survivor Group for twenty years.

Marilyn will be deeply missed by her daughter, Laurie (Mark) Rohrwasser of Waukesha; her beloved grandson, Shane of Clackamas, Oregon; her sister, Karen (Dale) Race of Minocqua, WI; her brother, Ronald (Jane) Heaney of Sussex, WI; sister-in-law, Dory Heaney of Wauwatosa and many nieces and nephews including her godson, Brian Race; and other relatives and friends.  She is further survived by her friends from Image Reborn, Jackson Park Lutheran Church and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.  Marilyn is preceded by her husband, Harlan; parents, Leo and Emelia Heaney; brother, Phil; and best friend, Marilyn Johnson.  

The visitation for Marilyn will be on Monday, June 11, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home    237 N. Moreland Blvd.  Waukesha, WI   53188.  There will also be a visitation on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:30 a.m. service at Jackson Park Lutheran Church 4535 W. Oklahoma Ave.  Milwaukee, WI   53219.  The Rev. Fred Thomas – Breitfeld and the Rev. Laura Gristl will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the family.  Burial will be at Pinelawn Cemetery, Milwaukee. 

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home will be serving the family.  For the online obituary, directions or cards of condolence please visit www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com or call the funeral home at 262-542-6609.