Bernice M. Zimmer

Bernice Zimmer (Bernadette Margaret Meyer) was born on March 19, 1916 to Louis and Anna Schiltz Meyer at LeMars, Iowa and died June 17, 2010 at the Greene County Medical Center Long Term Care Unit at the age of 94 years. Because of the death of her mother during childbirth, Bernice was raised in Remsen, Iowa by her grandparents, Peter and Margaret Schiltz. She received her education at St. Mary's Catholic School in Remsen. She was united in marriage with Louis J. Zimmer of LeMars at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen, Iowa on August 17, 1935 by Reverend H. J. Schlier. Lou and Bernice made their home with her grandparents in Remsen until after World War II. During the war years, Bernice worked in Remsen, took care of her grandmother, and raised two daughters, Carol Ann (Adams) and Patricia Lou (Gourley). When Lou returned from the war and worked for the Gamble Stores in Sioux City, Iowa, they moved there until Lou was promoted to manager of the Gamble Store in Jefferson; then to Shenandoah, and again back to Jefferson. Bernice's life was filled with her family and working beside Lou in his work. They thoroughly enjoyed each other and spent most of their time together. After retiring from Gambles, they opened Zimmer Paint Store in Jefferson, which they operated for many years, specializing in paint, picture framing, furniture refinishing, and glass work. They enjoyed bowling; sponsored the "Lefty" team, won many trophies, and enjoyed traveling to tournaments. They liked dancing, traveling here and abroad, playing cards with various card clubs, neighborhood "happy hours", and hosting parties whenever there was any reason at all! They had a multitude of close friends and many, many really good acquaintances. They were married 52 years when Lou passed away in 1987. Bernice kept her life filled with church and volunteer work. She mended clothing for the Long Term Care residents for many years. She was affiliated with the Catholic Daughters of America, serving as Grand Regent in Remsen and Jefferson. She was actively involved in the Council of Catholic Women's group, including quilting, the Cookie Parade, numerous fundraisers, monthly meetings, funeral dinners, the prayer line, and the Traveling Madonna. She also served as a CCW officer many times and taught CCD Class. Bernice took great pride in being a member of the Civil War Patrol in Shenandoah, trained to watch and identify aircraft in the local area in case of war. She was a member of the Welcome Wagon Club in Shenandoah and of the Century Club in Jefferson. She and several other ladies formed a sewing club in Jefferson, which led to their also forming a card club with their husbands. She loved making "goodies" and sharing them with neighbors and shut-ins, especially during the holiday seasons. Bernice remembered each friend and family member's birthday/anniversary with a card. Her daily diary was an impeccable record of her life. Bernice loved to tell jokes, to make people smile, and to enrich other people's lives. She seemed to have an interest in all things, and pursued painting, quilting, entertaining, cooking, and playing cards with great enthusiasm. But her deepest commitment was her prayer life and her unshakable belief in God. Her prayer life was her stronghold in life. She trusted God implicitly and had a very strong devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. When she was tried by the trials in life, she immediately turned to God to ask that His Will be done. Preceding Bernice in death were her husband, Lou; her parents, her sister and brother-in-law Dolores and Mark DeForce; her brother and sister-in-law Cyril and Mary Meyer; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands: Carol and Leonard (Bud) Adams and Patricia and John (Len) Gourley; nine grandchildren: Dave Adams; Mark Adams; Steve Adams; Diane Adams; Barbara Fields; Mike Gourley; Ken Gourley; Joe Gourley, and Margaret Wright; and eleven great-grandchildren: Miranda, Stephanie, Jessica, Andrea, Alex, Kara, Kurtis, Danielle, Samantha, Nathan and Jeremy. Bernice is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Andy Richey, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and Godchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the Peace and Justice Fund at St. Joseph's Catholic Church for the benefit of the needy of the area. "I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave a garden of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo, whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave when life is done." ~ Author Unknown