GAILYN RUTH “NANA” STEMPER

Gailyn Ruth (Gaye) Stemper (nee Zimmerman), age 71, was reunited with her beloved husband and best friend, William C. Stemper, as she went home to be with Jesus early Tuesday morning, May 25, 2010, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Gaye was surrounded by the immense love of her seven children and 20 grandchildren, as she was borne to Heaven, and to peace at last, after a long and courageous battle with a lengthy illness.

Gaye was born into earthly life on March 13, 1939, the daughter of the late Vincent and LeVerne (Etzel) Zimmerman. She grew up in Wauwatosa, where she resided at the club house of the Currie Park Golf Course. While living there, she enjoyed golfing, skiing, tobogganing, building tree forts and scouring the hills for coins after the long winter.

She attended Washington Grade School (which later became Webster Elementary School) and graduated from Divine Savior High School in 1957.

After graduation, she attended Mount Mary College in Milwaukee.

She was united in marriage to William “Bill” Stemper, her high school sweetheart, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Butler, Wis. Together, Gaye and Bill have resided in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, finally settling in Hartland where they raised their large family of seven children.

Gaye has worn many hats in her life. She was a star salesperson for World Book Encyclopedia, earning a trip to San Francisco and other top awards. Later, she worked for Boston Store, starting out as a salesperson/ cashier and working her way up to trainer of all new employees.

But no hat fit her greater or was more important to her than that of being the best Mom and greatest Nana to her children and grandchildren. She took on the challenge of raising seven children with overwhelming love and great pride. She continued in that same vein as she welcomed with love the arrival of 20 grandchildren, who are the light of her life. While raising her family, she was chauffer, nurse, gourmet chef (the best Thanksgiving stuffing!), Cub Scout Den Mother, chaperone, Soccer Coach for the girls and boys Lakes Soccer Club in Hartland, fan, confidant and best friend, and so much more!

While raising her seven children, she enjoyed playing slow pitch softball and golf. She was the Ladies’ 9 Hole Club Champion at Chenequa Country Club. She was also a member of the hole-in-one Club when she aced hole 3 at Chenequa Country Club.

Gaye was an avid fan of all the sports and activities in which her children and grandchildren participated. She also loved watching and listening to the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers and Marquette Basketball games, never failing to give them “advice” when they needed it as their armchair coach. She loved to watch and feed the many wild birds in her yard, planting her summer flower pots, going to craft fairs, her amazing bow-making skills, crocheting blankets for her family, traveling to Arizona, eating at Kopps and Palmers, and Root Beer Malts.

Not only was she Nana to her grandchildren, but all the kids loved her and called her Nana. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She will always be remembered for her laughter, her great sense of humor and for not being afraid to say what was on her mind.

Gaye was a long time member of St. Clare Catholic Church in North Lake, where she and husband Bill, her “usher partner,” happily ushered on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. Mass.

She also taught Confirmation class, where she prepared many young adults for the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation.

Loving survivors are her children: Sharon (Ken) Gilbertson of Menomonee Falls; Jennifer (John) Hintz of Plymouth; Jeffrey, at home; John (Jill) of village of Merton; Susan (Charles) Wood of Nashotah; Christopher (Cindy) of town of Lisbon; and David (Nicole) of town of Merton; her 20 grandchildren who lovingly called her “Nana”: Kenneth II, Andrew, Michael, Nicholas and Jacob Gilbertson; Alexander, Caitlyn and Jonathan Hintz; Stephanie, Brianna, Kyle, Thomas and Mia Stemper; Kirstyn and Brett Wood; Evan, Shaylin and Ian Stemper; and Sydney and Danielle Stemper. She is further survived by her brothers and sisters, Gary (Susan) Zimmerman; Mary Kay Zimmerman; Cheryl Verette; and Mark Zimmerman; and her sisters- and brothers-in- law: Mary Firnrohr; Susan (Billy) Miller; and Barbara “Babs” Klink. She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Gaye was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, William, her mother- and father-in-law, William L. and Isabel L. (Kowalsky) Stemper and her brother-in-law, Patrick Klink.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 28 from 3 p.m. until the time of the funeral Mass at 5 p.m. at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, W314 N7264 State Road 83, North Lake. Interment will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, in St. Clare Cemetery, North Lake, Wis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family appreciated.

Evert Luko Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 170 Warren Avenue, Hartland, WI 53029 is serving the family. Phone (262) 367-2156.

The family of Gaye Stemper would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Rev. Dennis Klemme, Rev. Anthony McCarthy, and Annie Schroeder, for their love, support and care given to Gaye. We would also like to thank the staff and nurses in oncology at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Special thanks to Kristin and Shannon, the wound care nurses from ProHealth Care Home Care for their compassion, friendly spirit and gentle care. Thank you for lighting up mom’s life with your visits. She truly loved your kindness and company.

Gaye, mom, Nana – you will be missed by your loving family, children, grandchildren and friends. Your love, compassion and laughter will live on in all of us. You will always be in our hearts. Never good-bye, just “Love ya, Mom,” “Love ya, Nana.”