Hope A. Ziemann

Hope Angelena Ziemann, beloved daughter of Robert N Ziemann of Palatine, and Sheri L Ziemann of Vernon Hills, passed away in Waukegan on Saturday, August 30, 2025. Hope was born in Evanston, Illinois on October 24, 1994.

Hope was an adored child, and a talented musician, who showed her talent for music by playing a keyboard by ear when she was four years old. She began formal piano lessons two years later. She performed in her first musical play at Lake Forest Public Schools in 1998. She also started kindergarten at age 4.

As she grew, she showed giftedness in math and science and attended Old School Montessori in Grayslake until 5th grade. She then transferred to Milburn School's Gifted Program in Lindenhurst. She later graduated with honors from Grayslake North High School.

Hope applied for early admission to three contemporary music programs at Lake Forest College, Berklee College of Music in Boston, and Columbia University of Chicago. She was accepted to all three schools, and won scholarships in music and creative writing. She ultimately joined the Presidential Honors program at Columbia.

By then, Hope not only played the piano, she was self-taught in guitar and was a member of her high school's jazz choir. She excelled in music theory, both in high school and at Columbia.

Hope learned early in her life, "To have a good friend, you have to be a good friend." She befriended many, and stayed friends for years.

A feminist, Hope was an activist in women's rights early on. She was also an avid knitter, establishing Hope's Hats 'n' Such on Facebook and Etsy. Hope's intense love of cats was especially felt by Mistletoe (Missy, now deceased), Frost (now deceased), Minerva (Minnie), and Korra. All of her cats were/are rescued.

She graduated from Tricocci University with a degree in cosmetology. Hope showed more of her artistic talent then as a hair colorist.

Hope discovered her new career direction and found success working in customer service for Horace Mann Insurance.

Hope is survived by her parents, her stepmother, Christine Freitag and sister, Kopila Freitag, and Grandmother Crete Harvey of Missoula, Montana. She also leaves behind several aunts and uncles and numerous cousins. Hope is predeceased by Grandparents Robert P & Gladys Ziemann of Chicago, and Shelby Bradley of Forest City, North Carolina.

A visitation and funeral service are scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030 from 3:00pm until 7:00pm with the funeral service commencing at 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Hope Ziemann's Memory to: Maryville Academy Behavior Health Sciences https://maryvilleacademy.org/donations/ or: Many Paws Global Rescue https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=46VVELM7F828U&source=url&ssrt=1756852992730

For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.