Arline Zizelman Obituary

Arline Estelle Zizelman, age 89, a resident of Hidden Harbor Assisted Living in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, passed peacefully on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. She was born at home on August 23, 1935 in Monitor Township, MI to Martin and Mathilda (nee Kunisch) Mammel. Arline spent her early childhood years in this farming community just outside of Bay City, MI before moving to East Detroit, MI with her family at the age of seven. She attended St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran School in East Detroit and graduated from East Detroit High School. While finishing high school, Arline worked as a co-op student at Michigan Hospital Service, now known as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She later worked as a secretary for the City of East Detroit in the Finance Department. While working at City Hall, Arline caught the attention of one of the city's newest and youngest police officers by the name of Frederick W. Zizelman Jr. His duties required frequent visits to the government offices and over the course of several months, Arline and Frederick began to date. On October 1, 1955 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in East Detroit, Frederick took the hand of his doting bride Arline, sharing nearly 70 years of marriage before he passed earlier this year on April 22, 2025. As a young couple establishing their path in the "Golden Age" of the 1950s," they soon began a family with the arrival of their first son Kurt in 1957, followed by Paul in 1958. The family grew further with the arrival of Dale in 1962 and Eric in 1964. While raising her family, Arline became the mom and homemaker she dreamed of while assisting her husband with office duties for his new private law practice. Arline and Fred remained longtime and active members at St. Peter Lutheran Church raising their young family at her former childhood alma mater. As their four boys grew older and became more independent, Arline worked as the church secretary for 14 years, volunteered with the St. Peter's Ladies Aid, Parent Teacher League, Lutheran High School East Guild, Macomb County Lawyer's Wives, and served as a Representative with the Michigan Lawyer's Wives. She was honored to be named Lutheran Woman of the Year. She was also proud of serving as a chaperone for the Miss East Detroit and Miss Michigan pageants. After retiring, Arline and Fred moved to Sun City Center, Florida where they enjoyed their golden years playing as much golf as time and weather allowed. Arline also enjoyed playing tennis and could often be found on the courts each morning. As travelers, their vacations always centered on golf, endlessly pursuing that hole-in-one, which Arline proudly achieved on August 2, 2000. While in Florida, Arline worked as a Buyer for the Pro Shop at Caloosa Golf & Country Club. The two eventually returned to Michigan living in the St. Clair, Port Huron, and Marysville communities and attended several different churches, but were unable to rejoice as the years spent at St. Peter Lutheran Church in East Detroit. As time progressed, Fred and Arline realized it best to move into a senior living community and settled on StoryPoint Assisted Living in Chesterfield Twp., MI where they resided for the past three years. After Fred's passing earlier this year along with the need of more assistance, Arline moved to her current home at Hidden Harbor Assisted Living. Arline cherished every moment spent with friends, family, and her grandchildren, finding immense joy in both casual gatherings and special celebrations. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her children; Paul (Diane) Zizelman, Dale Zizelman, and Eric (Rosanne) Zizelman. Arline will be cherished as a loving grandmother to Dan (Amy) Zizelman, David (Sarah) Zizelman, Christopher Zizelman, Zach (Aly) Zizelman, Nicole (Richie) Kolb, and Matthew Zizelman, and to her great-grandchildren; Aubrey, twins Lucas and Evan, Dominic, Nathan, Cameron, Weston, and Hannah. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Judy Mammel. In addition to her parents and husband, Arline was preceded in death by her son Kurt in 2006, sister Alice (late Harold) Moldenhauer, and brother Bernard Mammel. Visitation will be held in the Harold W. Vick Funeral Home, 140 South Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 3:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. with an evening funeral service at 7:00p.m. followed by a sharing of memories. Arline will be laid to rest with her husband at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly Twp., MI on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Memorial donations in memory of Arline are suggested to McLaren Hospice, 1411 3rd St., Suite C, Port Huron, MI 48060. Visit www.vickfuneralhome.com to share memories, express condolences, and sign the online guestbook.