Hometown: Olin, Iowa June 24, 1937 - August 05, 2016

OBITUARY

Mary (Kathy) Kathleen Zimmerman, 79, of Olin, Iowa, died peacefully in Anamosa, Iowa, August 5, 2016. Born June 24, 1937 to Cecile James and Lucy (Pillard) James, she grew up with her large family on a farm in Wyoming, Iowa.

Her funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church in Olin. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 8:30-11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Olin. Burial will be held at Olin Cemetery. Lahey Funeral Home of Olin is assisting the family.

Kathy began her college studies in 1956 at University of Iowa and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College 3 years later with her Bachelors degree in Teaching. Years later she extended her education with a MBA in Counseling from University of Iowa. She went on to teach in elementary, 4th grade, in Colo, Olin, and Mechanicsville, Iowa; after raising children, returned to Olin to teach high school. She took a break in 1982, and opened Anamosa Art and Tole where she taught painting classes. She missed being with children, however, and finished her career in public education as the elementary/high Counselor in the Lisbon School District. Children were her passion. She donated her time to spiritual growth in music, nursery, elementary and high school youth work at St. John Lutheran for decades.

In retirement she sold real estate for Warren Wortman Reality, and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She had a great love for her cats especially Maggie and Punkin.

Kathy was preceded in death by 2 daughters, Alison Zimmerman and Heather (Zimmerman) Salter. She is survived by husband, Ken Zimmerman; daughters, Erin Zimmerman and Amy (Zimmerman) Aamodt (Doug Aamodt); sons, Jon Zimmerman (Amy Planz) and Troy Zimmerman (Irma Zimmerman); 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson; as well as, sisters, Ruth (James) Siebels, Onalee (James) Crocker, and Susan (James) Nichols.

Memorials are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church, Olin, or Jones County Meals on Wheels.