Valerie Marie Zimmerman
June 8, 1916 — October 20, 2010
Valerie Marie Zimmerman, daughter of John A. and Odelia (Schnuettgen) Gaul, was born on June 8, 1916 at Earling, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in St. Joseph�s Catholic Church in Earling and attended grade school and graduated from St. Joseph�s Catholic School with the class of 1934. After her graduation, Valerie helped on her parents farm as well as in several households including the rectory in Portsmouth where her uncle, Fr. N. A. Gaul, served as pastor.
On September 2, 1947, Valerie was united in marriage to Bernard Zimmerman at St. Joseph�s Church in Earling. After their marriage, Barney and Valerie rented a farm outside of Shelby for nine years before moving to a farm northeast of Westphalia in 1957. There they farmed until 1979 when they retired into a new home in Westphalia. Both were very active in the St. Boniface Catholic Church and in the community of Westphalia for many years. Valerie was a Eucharistic Minister, taught C.C.D., was a lector, a member of the Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughter�s of the America�s Court of St. Katherine. She also served on numerous committees for the Senior Citizens Council.
After a stroke in February of 2005, Valerie became a resident of Little Flower Haven in Earling, Iowa where she died on October 20, 2010 having attained the age of ninety-four years, four months and twelve days. 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. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant son, Thomas James in 1955 and her brothers, Cyril and Roman.
Valerie is survived by her husband of sixty-three years, Barney Zimmerman of Earling, Iowa; her children: Maribeth Zimmerman of Westphalia; John Zimmerman and his wife Bonnie of Westphalia; Rae Zimmerman of Westphalia; Rita Jean Macaulay of Omaha, Nebraska; Paul Zimmerman and his wife Arlene of Westphalia; Sr. Jodelle Zimmerman, OSB of Yankton, South Dakota and Philip Zimmerman and his wife Sharyn of Westphalia; thirteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren; siblings: Marian Marshall of Omaha; Colette Butterfield of Seattle, Washington; Verner Gaul and his wife Betty of Earling; Dewie Gaul and his wife Mavis of Sioux City, Iowa; John Gaul and his wife Ann of Omaha and Angie Gaul of Earling; sisters-in-law: Angela (Mrs. Cyril) Gaul and Mildred (Mrs. Roman) Gaul both of Earling; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Rev. John Dorton celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. Interment was held at St. Boniface Cemetery with Mike Gaul, Brad Zimmerman, Jim Gaul, Mark Gaul, Jay Marshall, Joe Gaul, Scott Gaul, Garry Gaul and Tom Gaul serving as honorary casket bearers and Don Gaul, Stephen Zimmerman, Gene Gaul, Jeffrey Zimmerman, Danny Zimmerman, David Zimmerman, Dan Schumacher and Randy Gaul serving as casket bearers.
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On September 2, 1947, Valerie was united in marriage to Bernard Zimmerman at St. Joseph�s Church in Earling. After their marriage, Barney and Valerie rented a farm outside of Shelby for nine years before moving to a farm northeast of Westphalia in 1957. There they farmed until 1979 when they retired into a new home in Westphalia. Both were very active in the St. Boniface Catholic Church and in the community of Westphalia for many years. Valerie was a Eucharistic Minister, taught C.C.D., was a lector, a member of the Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughter�s of the America�s Court of St. Katherine. She also served on numerous committees for the Senior Citizens Council.
After a stroke in February of 2005, Valerie became a resident of Little Flower Haven in Earling, Iowa where she died on October 20, 2010 having attained the age of ninety-four years, four months and twelve days. 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. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant son, Thomas James in 1955 and her brothers, Cyril and Roman.
Valerie is survived by her husband of sixty-three years, Barney Zimmerman of Earling, Iowa; her children: Maribeth Zimmerman of Westphalia; John Zimmerman and his wife Bonnie of Westphalia; Rae Zimmerman of Westphalia; Rita Jean Macaulay of Omaha, Nebraska; Paul Zimmerman and his wife Arlene of Westphalia; Sr. Jodelle Zimmerman, OSB of Yankton, South Dakota and Philip Zimmerman and his wife Sharyn of Westphalia; thirteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren; siblings: Marian Marshall of Omaha; Colette Butterfield of Seattle, Washington; Verner Gaul and his wife Betty of Earling; Dewie Gaul and his wife Mavis of Sioux City, Iowa; John Gaul and his wife Ann of Omaha and Angie Gaul of Earling; sisters-in-law: Angela (Mrs. Cyril) Gaul and Mildred (Mrs. Roman) Gaul both of Earling; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Rev. John Dorton celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. Interment was held at St. Boniface Cemetery with Mike Gaul, Brad Zimmerman, Jim Gaul, Mark Gaul, Jay Marshall, Joe Gaul, Scott Gaul, Garry Gaul and Tom Gaul serving as honorary casket bearers and Don Gaul, Stephen Zimmerman, Gene Gaul, Jeffrey Zimmerman, Danny Zimmerman, David Zimmerman, Dan Schumacher and Randy Gaul serving as casket bearers.
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