In Memory of

Alice

Ruth

Ziemke

(Jennings)

Obituary for Alice Ruth Ziemke (Jennings)

Troy - Quietly at home, Alice left her family and friends on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Born in Cohoes, NY to the late Edward P. and Alice Jennings she was just a few days short of a milestone birthday. The strength and courage that Alice displayed throughout her life followed her all the way to the end.

Raised in Cohoes, she attended Cohoes Public Schools. Later on, she attended Siena College and HVCC. She met her future husband, John Ziemke when they were 12 years old. He rode by her home on his bicycle and she told her friend Shirley that she thought he had cute legs. That was the beginning of an almost 60 year romance. John predeceased Alice in 2012.

After her marriage, she went to work at various jobs to support her family. She eventually had a 30+ year career with the State of New York, working in the Departments of Mental Hygiene and Environmental Conservation. Together with John they ran Overlook Acres, a family beef farm in Brunswick, New York. She had a side business selling antique linens and homemade chili sauce at local craft fairs. People would go to various craft fairs every year just to get their supply of her chili sauce. Just don’t ask for the recipe - because she wouldn’t give it to you!

Community involvement was also very important to Alice. She was a Past President and Honorary Lifetime Member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Brunswick Elks #2556. She was awarded Woman of the Year 1989-1990 and in 2014 she was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Elks. Many of the Elk’s Friday Night dinners were run with Alice working the Dining Room. Monday night Bingo, too. She was 4H Leader of an active club where she helped guide young people. Alice was a devoted member of Center Brunswick United Methodist Church where she served on the Board of Trustees for many years. The Church was a cornerstone of her life and she would proudly tell anyone that she was a Methodist. One of her greatest memories was being in the front row-center at her high school alma mater to see her idol, Hillary Clinton, speak during a snowstorm.

In retirement, Alice and John would spend their winters in Bonita Springs, Florida. She loved her home at IBE - Imperial Bonita Estates - and enjoyed wonderful times with many good friends. She was active on the IBE Board of Directors and served as Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President.

Alice knew how to have fun. Her laugh could fill a room. She was always up for a competitive game of Hearts or 31, despite her tendency to glance at her neighbor’s hand. The perfect day was a late summer clamsteam with dozens of raw clams in the front yard of the farm. Friends were greeted with a peck on the cheek and “How are you sweetheart?”. She was the life of the party.

Alice is survived by her daughters, Hollys (Mark) Kozlowski of Easton, NY and Heidi (Kate Luscombe) Ziemke of Cohoes, NY. Her grandchildren are Owen (Mayumi) Kozlowski of Osaka, Japan and Andrew (Sarah) Kozlowski of Easton, NY. Her Great-Grandson is Xavier DuFour of Hartford, NY. She is survived by her sisters, Elizabeth, Jean, and Hazel of Bradenton, FL and Sandra of Ashfield, MA, along with their spouses and children. Alice was predeceased by her second mother/mother-in-law, Evelyn Ziemke Roemer.

A visitation will be held Friday, February 2, 2018, from 4 until 8 PM at the Center Brunswick Methodist Church, 990 Hoosick Street, Troy. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning, February 3, 2018, 10 AM at the church. Interment will follow in Elmwood Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Center Brunswick United Methodist Church, 990 Hoosick Road, Troy, NY 12180.