Zimmerman, Valerie Marie (1916 – 2010)

ZIMMERMAN, GAUL, MACAULAY, MARSHALL, BUTTERFIELD, SCHNUETTGEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 9/19/2013 at 20:15:22

Name of deceased: Valerie Marie Zimmerman (nee Gaul)

Aged: 94 yrs, 4 mo, 12 days

Residence: Little Flower Haven in Earling, IA

Born: June 8, 1916 at Earling, IA

Died: Oct. 20, 2010; Little Flower Haven in Earling, IA

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, St. Boniface Catholic Church, Westphalia, IA; Rev. John Dorton officiated. Burial was at St. Boniface Cemetery, Westphalia, IA.

Survived by: Husband of 63 years, Barney Zimmerman of Earling, IA; children, Maribeth Zimmerman of Westphalia, IA, John Zimmerman (spouse, Bonnie) of Westphalia, IA, Rae Zimmerman of Westphalia, IA, Rita Jean Macaulay of Omaha, NE, Paul Zimmerman (spouse, Arlene) of Westphalia, IA, Sr. Jodelle Zimmerman, OSB of Yankton, SD and Philip Zimmerman (spouse, Sharyn) of Westphalia, IA; 13 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; siblings, Marian Marshall of Omaha, NE, Colette Butterfield of Seattle, WA, Verner Gaul (spouse, Betty) of Earling, IA, Dewie Gaul (spouse, Mavis) of Sioux City, IA, John Gaul (spouse, Ann) of Omaha, NE, and Angie Gaul of Earling, IA; sisters-in-law: Angela (Mrs. Cyril) Gaul and Mildred (Mrs. Roman) Gaul, both of Earling, IA; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, John A. and Odelia (nee Schnuettgen) Gaul; infant son, Thomas James in 1955; brothers, Cyril and Roman

Education: attended grade school and graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Westphalia, IA, Class of 1934

Religious affiliation: baptized and confirmed in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, IA. Both Valerie and Barney were very active in the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, IA; Valerie was a Eucharistic Minister, taught C.C.D., was a lector, a member of the Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of the America’s Court of St. Katherine.

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Bernard “Barney” Zimmerman; Sep. 2, 1947; St. Joseph’s Church in Earling, IA

Employment: After her high school graduation, Valerie helped on her parents’ farm as well as in several households, including the rectory in Portsmouth, IA, where her uncle, Fr. N. A. Gaul, served as pastor. After their marriage, Barney and Valerie rented a farm outside of Shelby for 9 years before moving to a farm NE of Westphalia in 1957. There they farmed until 1979 when they retired into a new home in Westphalia.

After a stroke in Feb. 2005, Valerie became a resident of Little Flower Haven in Earling, IA. Though unable to speak, she was able to communicate with her eyes and her smile which allowed her to touch the hearts of all who visited and cared for her. She was described by her care givers as one of their favorites.

Hobbies/Interests: very active in her church; served on numerous committees for the Senior Citizens Council.

Sources: pauleyjones.com