Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Zimmer
Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Zimmer, 91, of Ronan, MT passed away on Monday, May 17, 2010 at the St. Luke Extended Care Center where she had been a resident.
Betty was born on February 17, 1919 in Florence, CO, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Hahn. She received her education in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. She married Harold Kilman in 1937 and had her first son, Lloyd. She later divorced in 1939.
Betty and Chester W. Zimmer were then married in 1941 and lived in Vallejo, CA where their daughter, Carolyn, was born. The lived in Vallejo until WWII ended and then moved to Polson, MT in 1947. Her last two sons, Dick Zimmer and Ken Zimmer were later born in Polson.
She and Chet were the owners of Flathead Plumbing, Heating and Appliances for many years. She worked there greeting and serving customers and in bookkeeping and sales. The family later bought and built the KOA on the East Shore and she lived there until Chet’s retirement in the mid 1960’s.
Betty had the opportunity to travel extensively with Chet and, at times, with her beloved sister, Louise and her daughter, Caroline. Betty and Chet wintered for many years in Arizona and traveled to Germany to her family’s origin more than once. They enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Alaska, and much of the Western and Southwestern United States. In 1985, they had also traveled to China.
Later, Chet built their home in Big Arm where they lived for a number of years. She was an active member of the American Legion Ladies Auxillary. Betty had a love for flowers that lasted throughout her whole life and also had a real knack for growing things and cooking.
The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson was her loved place of worship. She labored there for the parishioners, fixing and helping with many meals and attending with the priests for homilies and friendship.
Her daughter-in-law, Nonna Kilman, and her granddaughter, Stephanie Kilman, precede her in death.
Survivors include her husband Chet; a dear sister, Louise; brothers, John and Eddie; her sons and a daughter, Lloyd of California, Carolyn of California, Richard from Polson, MT, and Kenneth from Michigan, and Betty loved her 12 grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 1:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Polson. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Betty’s family.
How very sad I was on hearing of Grandma’s death. I love her and think of her often, with wonderful memories of collecting yellow bells in the fields with her when Jodi and I were young. She enriched my life in so m any ways. I miss her deeply.
I remember always saying: “Bless your heart.” I do feel that my heart is blessed because of her.
Dear Chet:
I have just read Bette’s obituary in the Missoulian. I would like to offer my prayers and condolences. A Holy Mass will be celebrated for the repose of her soul. I regret not being able to be present at Bette’s funeral, as we are getting ready for our China trip. May our Good Lord have Bette in His loving arms.
Fr. John B. Wang
I just heard of your mother’s passing and wanted you to know I am thinking of you during this difficult time. Your mom lived a long and fulfilling life and I pray the memories you share will bring a “smile” to your aching hearts.
We lived in the neighborhood and went to school with most of you.
God Bless.
Pam (Glover) Schneiter
To the Famly
Our thoughts and prayers are with at this time. I remember your Mother well and the “twinkle” in her eyes . She was a gracious person and very friendly to all. Betty will be missed but not forgotten.
Chet, Lloyd, Caroline, Dick and Ken….My sympathies to you during this difficult time. You will be in my prayers to give you the strength needed to continue. I will always remember all the great times the Soucies and Zimmers shared. You are dear dear friends. When I think of Betty I can see her beautiful smile and hear her laughing voice. God’s blessings to you all.
To the Zimmer family ~ I have long felt that dear Betty was an angel wrapped in a human body. I was so lucky to have been graced by her presence…no matter the circumstances, she found a way to smile, laugh and find the good in people. So many fond memories … picking huckleberries and camping in the “fifth wheel”, teaching me to play Skipbo, listening to her and my dad, Bill’s, lively conversations about theology, savoring a delicious salmon dinner on the deck of the house in Big Arm, water skiing off the dock there … there are too many to name. I hope you are all comforted in the knowledge that Betty enriched so many people’s lives, mine included. Her generosity, enthusiasm for life, and love of people have left a lasting imprint on my life and have inspired me to follow her example. Sincerest condolences to you, and may she now rest peacefully in heaven.
To the dear Zimmer family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this difficult time. Although saddened by Betty’s passing, we must celebrate her life that was so richly lived and remember her generous spirit and love of laughter.
There are numerous memories of times that the Soucies and Zimmers spent together: Countless meals, trips to Chief’s Cliff and the lake property, visits to the KOA, seeing the new house at Big Arm, staying in the fifth wheel, Skipbo by the hour, and lots and lots of laughter–to name a few.
If Betty was an angel wrapped in a human body, then she now is an angel with wings. We are all better for having known her.
May God give you comfort and strength to ease the pain of your loss.
In searching for my Polson High School friends I was sorry to discover that Carolyn’s mother had died. My prayers are with Carolyn and the family at this time.
Mary Johnson Corcoran
I look forward to seeing her again in the paradise.