Barbara C. Zimmer

Barbara Carrol Zimmer, 69, of Portland, TX, formerly of Mason City, IA lost her battle with Lung Cancer on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at the Oak Crest Nursing Center in Rockport, TX. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, IA, with Deacon Renee Smithback of the First United Methodist Church officiating. There will be a gathering for family and friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Major Erickson Funeral Home. Inurnment will be in the Manly Cemetery immediately following the service. Memorials may be directed to the Barbara Zimmer memorial fund in care of the family. Barbara was born June 21, 1944, in Algona, IA the daughter of William and Ruth (Stockwell) DeKruif. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1962 and continued her education at Hamilton College in Mason City. Barbara married Steven Dean Zimmer on May 11, 1964, in Sioux Falls, SD. The couple spent the next 40 years of marriage raising their three children and enjoying their seven grandchildren in Mason City. Barbara worked at Mercy Medical Center, as a Surgical Technician, for 35 years before retiring in June of 2006. After her retirement she spent most of her time helping to raise another family, as nanny to Dr. & Mrs. Christopher Scott & their 2 boys Callum & William, by whom she was affectionately known as 'Zimmie'. Barbara was proud of her Dutch heritage and would look forward to attending the yearly Tulip Festival in Pella, IA. She also enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing BINGO and taking care of her Jack Russell Terrier, “Heidi” who became very important to her after her husbands death in 2005. Barbara was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Mason City, IA, where she enjoyed singing in the choir for many years. Due to health reasons Barbara moved to Portland, Texas in February of 2012 to live with her daughter & family. Those left to cherish her memory are her three children: Corey Zimmer of Bellevue, NE & his children, Kristy Sepper and Harley & Steven Zimmer. Anthony (Melissa) Zimmer of Great Falls, MT & their sons, Joshua & Anthony Zimmer. Angela (Steven) Reinhart of Portland, TX & their children, Jonathan & Emily Reinhart. Her two brothers: William (Barbara) DeKruif Jr. of Garner, IA and Chris DeKruif of Mason City, IA, and her aunt: Effie Jacobsma of Sibley, IA. Also her close friends: Dr. Christopher (Kassia) Scott and their two sons, Callum & William; and her dog, Heidi. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents: William DeKruif & Ruth DeKruif-Gerrard; her brother John DeKruif & her husband, Steven D. Zimmer, also many family members, friends & beloved pets, who were all there to meet her as she made her final journey home.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be in the Manly Cemetery immediately following the service.

Memorials may be directed to the Barbara Zimmer memorial fund in care of the family.

Visitation:
There will be a gathering for family and friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Major Erickson Funeral Home.

Service:
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at Major Erickson Funeral Home.