Ida Mae (DeKeyser) Zimmerman
Ida Mae passed peacefully into eternal rest on May 8, 2017 at the age of 97.
She was born January 9, 1920 in Fredonia, WI to William and Elsie (Beno) DeKeyser, the fourth of eight children. Ida Mae graduated from Norway High School, in Norway MI in 1937, and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, in Oshkosh, WI, in 1941. She was a registered nurse who practiced in hospitals in Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Milwaukee, and Ripon, WI. She was engaged in private duty nursing with geriatric patients in Ripon and Green Lake, WI, and Tucson, AZ. In Tucson, she was also employed by the Red Cross, and particularly enjoyed serving as a school nurse in Tucson Public Schools. Ida Mae was a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. She embraced her faith as a way of life and the guiding principal for all that was important to her. She practiced it on a daily basis by assisting anyone in need who crossed her path. Whatever challenges life presented, Ida Mae faced them with courage, dignity, determination, and selflessness. She was devoted to her family and nothing gave her more pleasure than to spend time with them. She knew the names of every grand niece and nephew and the names of their children as well. Her first words upon entering her home was, “Have you eaten?” at which point she happily produced a lovely meal. Ida Mae was beloved by her family and friends and was considered a consummate professional by her patients and colleagues. Her beautiful smile and loving and compassionate nature will be a treasured memory.
She is survived by her son Barry (Diana) of Tucson, AZ; her four grandchildren: Kristin (Alex) Scott of Oxford, England; Shana of Phoenix, AZ; Sean (Marti) of Centennial, CO; and Erin (Cliff) Hall of Highlands Ranch, CO; her four great grandchildren: Brenna Zimmerman of Centennial, CO; Tabitha Hall of Highlands Ranch, CO; Katherine Scott and Nicholas Scott of Oxford, England; and her brother Don DeKeyser (Effie), sisters-in-law Joan (Gene) DeKeyser, Sonny (Bill) DeKeyser, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Victor Zimmerman, her son Stephen Zimmerman, her sisters Marilyn Alex, Pronase Goymerac, Lillian Bergner; and her brothers Harold, William, and Gene.
Ida Mae’s family will receive friends on Friday August 4, 2017, from 10:00AM to 11:30AM, at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass of Christian Burial, in celebration of her life, will follow visitation on Friday, at 12:00PM, at All Saints Church in Gladstone, with Rev. Fr. Jamie Ziminski officiating. Luncheon will follow in the All Saints Parish Hall. She will be interred at Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone alongside her husband and son. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting with arrangements.