ZELLMER, Harlene Faye

The Daily Miner, Kingman, AZ - Published on September 11, 2011 - Harlene Faye Zellmer, wife, mother and grandmother, died Sunday evening, Sept. 4, 2011. Harlene was an intelligent and tenacious woman; she was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. She was born Dec. 30, 1914, in Lacrosse, Wis., to Harley E. Lorton and Bertha Burr Lorton. It was in Lacrosse that she and her brother, Brad, were raised and attended school. After graduating high school, she went on to graduate from business college which would lead to a successful life-long career as a secretary. Throughout World War II, Harlene worked for the civil service at the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force Command under four-star generals. She was trusted with highly sensitive materials and was given top-secret clearance. Harlene traveled all over the United States for the Air Force. Some of her fondest memories about that time involved going out dancing with her girlfriends to Glen Miller on Friday nights. Harlene's 10-year career with the civil services ended in St. Louis, Mo., and it was at this juncture that she would meet her husband of 62 years, Howard Zellmer. Married on June 19, 1949, they lived in Howard's hometown of Belleville, Ill., where they were blessed with two children, Dan and Kay. In 1959, they decided to move out west. Harlene loved the desert; she enjoyed the warm climate and the beautiful mountain ranges. They settled down in Kingman in 1961, and would make this their permanent home. Harlene was a charter member of the Pink Ladies volunteer organization at what is now known as Kingman Regional Medical Center. She was also instrumental in starting the local Candy Stripers program. In 1965, she went to work for Citizen's Utilities as the Executive Secretary; she would retire 14 years later. During retirement, Harlene loved to play card games. She was involved in a bridge club and often made the trek to Laughlin to play poker. She also enjoyed baking, knitting and sewing. She completed the daily crossword puzzles and could beat anyone at Wheel of Fortune. Harlene is survived by her husband, Howard B. Zellmer; their two children, Dan Zellmer and Kay Hayward; five grandchildren, Jamie Scott Stehly, Brooke Hinman, Nick Zellmer, Sierra Zellmer and Jaxen Zellmer; and three great-grandchildren, Devin Hinman, and June and Paige Stehly. Our dearest Harlene, we only part to meet again.