Betty Lou Zimmer

Betty Lou Zimmer was born on May 5, 1927, the daughter of Albert and Violet (Warrington) Koenck on the family farm north of Vail, Iowa. She was baptized and later confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Kiron. Betty received her education from an elementary school in Vail, a country school in Jackson Township and Odebolt High School, graduating with the class of 1945.

Betty was united in marriage to Donald Zimmer on June 4, 1945, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Vail by Fr. Dennis Clark. It was at this time when she joined the Catholic church. The couple made their home on a farm in Crawford County, near Boyer, where they farmed and were blessed with the birth of nine children. She was a hardworking farm wife who stayed busy milking cows, gathering eggs from the chickens, and caring for her kittens and dogs. She also kept busy raising her children, which she did with love.

Betty was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Vail. She enjoyed tending her garden and flower beds. Family and friends could look forward to her homecooked meals with the vegetables she grew or even receiving some of her canned goods. She also enjoyed reading and listening to music. She will be especially remembered for her large meals, tins of cookies, delicious morning coffee, and making donuts for the trick or treaters on Halloween. She cherished spending time with her family.

In 2019, Betty left the farm with a heavy heart and moved to Twilight Acres Nursing Home, in Wall Lake, where she passed away on October 20, 2022, at the age of 95 years, five months and 15 days.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald "Cactus" Zimmer; son, Keith Zimmer; two daughters: Susan Reising and Karen Reisz; son-in-law, Neil Reising and Bob Reisz Jr.; three brothers: Raynard Koenck, Vernie Koenck, and Llyod Koenck; and sister, Norma Fineran. She is survived by three sons: Francis (Vicki) Zimmer of Deloit, Chuck (Pat) Zimmer of Leonard, Texas, and Dale (Judy) Zimmer of Kiron; three daughters: Donna (Roger) Galles of Remsen, Mary Jane (Joe) Siegner of Vail, and Joan (Brent) Bauer of Audubon; 38 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Lorraine Koenck in Lake City and Mary Lou Koenck of Wall Lake; brother-in-law, Duane Zimmer of Ankeny; and many other relatives and friends.

A rosary will be held at 4:45 p.m. with visitation to follow from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Vail. Interment will follow at St. Ann Cemetery also in Vail. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Twilight Acres Nursing Home.