Mary Ziegler

Age 55 of Fridley. Mary Beth passed away July 11, 2011 and has at long last been released from the joys and sorrows of this life, having so faithfully fulfilled her calling as a servant of her heavenly Father and of Christ Jesus her loving Savior.
Mary Beth Smith was born at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, to Doug and Dolores Smith. She was the better–looking twin to brother David, and now her mom had two sets of twins out of her first five children. Mary narrowly escaped being named Mary Christine, which doubtless would have been shortened to Mary Chris Smith. Childhood was spent in a small house in Bloomington, and then North Minneapolis, in a house almost large enough to contain the entire Bloomington home in the living room.
Mary was born again through faith in Christ in 1968, as her family was attending Zion Harbor Christian Family Camp in Federal Dam, Minnesota. It was at Zion Harbor in 1971 that she first saw Tim. Brother–in–law Joe claims he introduced them, although that is in dispute. Through circumstance or more likely, Providence, twin brother David and brother Jeff had made some friends at camp, who visited the house a few weeks later, dragging Tim with them. Mary has said that she came home from her waitressing job at Walgreen's, and "There he was, right in my living room!" Mary was 15 at the time; aside from a couple of early breakups, they've been together ever since. After graduating High School, Mary enrolled in a Christian Discipleship Program at Zion Harbor. The school soon moved to a new location, near Chetek, Wisconsin, that became Eden Ministry Center. The program was part of an organization called Daystar, a Christian Community that had several affiliated locations, including what would later become her lifelong church–Twin City Fellowship. Mary lived at several, including West Chicago, Martinsville, Indiana, and Harmony Hill in south Texas. In 1976, she and Tim were married, Tim getting the better deal out of the arrangement. They moved three years later to the family's current home in Fridley, Minnesota, living all of these years across the street from her in-laws, and enjoying it!
Mary soon became Mom to three children; Justin in 1978; Alison in 1981; and baby Josiah in 1984. Favorite sister Cheryl had three of similar ages, and she enjoyed being a second mom to them as well. This busy mom ran a home daycare for several years, and then began working in the school district, where she somehow followed her kids from school to school as they advanced through the grades. It seems they were not able to escape her oversight. Teachers would come to the High School library, and ask her if she knew Josiah had missed first hour, and she would call home to roust him. Mary worked hard to make her home a warm and friendly place, with crocheting, needlepoint pictures, wall stenciling, scrap-booking, and other crafts. She loved holding family gatherings, and felt it of highest importance to help keep both Tim's and her families connected by hosting as often as she could. She was active in church as a Sunday School teacher, nursery worker, and Pioneer Clubs director, and volunteered with the PTSO and various other committees, and attended Bible Study Fellowship for many years.
After Mary's first malignancy was diagnosed, she became active in her local breast cancer support group, staying active and volunteering all through the years. It was not unusual for Mary to spend hours on the phone with women who were recently diagnosed, helping them to comprehend all of what was happening to them, and would often share her strong faith with them.
After the kids were grown, Mary developed a new love. She tore out huge swaths of the yard to plant gardens, and taught Tim to appreciate her gardens, as well. As a fair exchange, Mary took up Tim's love for biking, taking every opportunity to go biking with family and friends, often accompanied by dinner and a game of dominoes afterward.
For Mary the past few years were difficult, but she bore it all with dignity and grace, never wavering in her faith in God, always praying for healing, knowing she was ever in His hands. She greatly appreciated the support and friendship she received from her church, family, friends, and her special friends – the many cancer survivors that she knew and loved.
She leaves behind her husband, Tim, son Justin and wife Nikki, daughter Alison and husband Nate, son Josiah, and grandson Owen, who was her joy.Also by her parents Doug & Dolores Smith; sister Cheryl (Brian); brothers David (Cindy) & Jeffrey; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by brothers Mitch & Steve.
May each of us press on as Mary did, in spite of all her adversity, not wavering in our faith, but following in the footsteps of this precious saint.
Memorial service 2pm Saturday at Twin City Fellowship, 2734 Rhode Island Avenue S., St. Louis Park. Gathering of family and friends from 1 PM until the hour of service. Private family interment at Brook Park Cemetery, Brook Park, MN. Memorials preferred to the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute Support Services.