Evelyn Mae Winkel Zimmermann

Evelyn Zimmermann, 79 of Burton, surrounded by her family, after two days of prayers, praise and songs enfolding her, went quietly to her Heavenly Home Tuesday, February 5, 2008 in St. Joseph Regional Health Center Hospital.

Themes of faith, family and strength coursed strongly through the entire life of Evelyn Mae Zimmermann. Evelyn grew up in Toluca, Illinois, the only child of Edward and Josephine Winkel. Evelyn was raised by her grandparents, Christoph and Josephine Christ and aunt, Alma Christ, after the early death of her mother. A strong foundation of faith and strength formed in these years as she faced physical challenges due to a genetic spinal curvature and scoliosis. She spent two years of her childhood life in Chicago’s Illinois Research Hospital for treatment. Even this challenge taught her much as she made friends with fellow patients-- some that dealt with, in her opinion, “real” physical disabilities. Through her strong will and faith, nothing held her back from life. Evelyn finished her school years in Toluca and took a job in Muscatine, Iowa at Lutheran Homes where she worked as a bookkeeper four and a half years. It was there in 1951 that she met Dan Zimmermann, a student at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. August 15, 1953, they were married in Toluca. From that point onward, Reverend and Mrs. Dan Zimmermann served together in Lutheran congregations at Lamesa, Castell, Shive, Berlin, and Waldeck as partners in faith and service. The union of Evelyn and Dan was joyfully blessed with three children, Ruth, Mark, and Sarah. Evelyn was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. For sixteen years, Evelyn worked as the secretary for the Washington County Home Economics Extension Office and touched many lives through her work there. In more recent years, Evelyn & Dan moved to Rehburg where they were an integral part of their families’ lives and activities that included sporting events, band concerts, graduations, and of course, the ongoing celebrations that occurred on Wilhelm Lane. Their lifelong connection to the church remained a constant and the couple shared a true love for the word and living their faith. As a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Rehburg, Evelyn enjoyed serving on the worship committee, attending worship services, women’s bible study with the Naomi Group, and adult bible class each Sunday. Through these years, Evelyn continued showing her amazing faith and strength to all friends, family and others despite her own physical limitations. Other recent activities that were a powerful part of her life included participation in Relay for Life as a breast-cancer survivor, learning all she could about Parkinson’s disease with the local support group, and a love of music that led her to sing with local choral groups and teach at church and Sunday school. Throughout all of her life, Evelyn maintained her sharp wit, keen eye, sense of humor, and undying faith.

Her parents and aunt Alma Christ preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband Rev. Dan Zimmermann of Burton; children Ruth and James Schulenberg of Burton, Mark and Marsha Zimmermann of Bellaire, Sarah Zimmermann of Burton; grandchildren Stephanie and Steven Jarvis of Austin, Susan and Jim Kiel of Burton, Samantha Schulenberg of Austin, Jason Zimmermann of College Station, Kyle Zimmermann of Bellaire; brothers and sisters-in-law Harold and Melrose Zimmermann of Austin, Lynn and Carra Zimmermann of Burton, Jim and Gerry Zimmermann of Austin; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Friday, February 8, 2008 in Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 9, 2008 in St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg. Rev. Craig Borchardt will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Steven Jarvis, Jim Kiel, Jimmy Zimmermann, Kevin Zimmermann, Byron Zimmermann, Alan Zimmermann, Rebeca Zimmermann Friedman, Jennifer Zimmermann and Jeffrey Zimmermann. Honorary pallbearers will be the Adult Bible Class at St. Paul’s and the local Parkinson’s Support Group.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg, Brazos Valley Hospice or charity of choice.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 979.836.3611. www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com