Nancy Jean Zimmerman, 84

Nancy Zimmerman, 84, passed away at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. She was born on Dec. 10, 1939, in Kalispell, to Orin and Margaret Strissel, and had recently celebrated her 84th birthday. She grew up in Kalispell, attending Edgerton Elementary School and graduating from Flathead High School with the Class of 1958. Nancy also furthered her education at Northern Montana College in Havre. She loved to share fond memories of her college days on the East Side, which included horseback riding and helping out on a ranch in her spare time.

Upon returning to Kalispell, Nancy worked for Dr. Lipinski as a medical receptionist, a position she enjoyed very much. She met Allen Zimmerman they were married on Oct. 29, 1966. About five years into their marriage, Nancy decided to give up her job at the doctor’s office and became a stay-at-home farm wife and mom.

On any typical day, mom could be found in the kitchen preparing meals, canning green beans, baking bread, keeping the house tidy, and all the other daily chores required of a farm wife. She especially enjoyed setting gorgeous tables for every holiday meal. The Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners mom prepared year after year were legendary and she made sure there was always an extra chair at the table for someone who may not have had a special place to go for the holidays.

Nancy was a loving wife, mother, and friend. She gave of herself often and was generous to a fault. Mom had the gift of gab, and although getting off the phone with her was difficult at times, we will all dearly miss her long-winded conversations.

Nancy and Allen are both members of the Church at Creston, which mom enjoyed attending before her declining health made it difficult to attend. We are exceedingly grateful for the care and compassion of Pastor Kyle Winters and the church members during this difficult time.

She is survived by her husband, Allen; and children, Shawn and Lisa of Kalispell, and Dennis who resides in Missoula. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Lauren and Bryce Woods – both of whom meant more than the world to her. Mom was always so grateful to be on the earth long enough to watch her grandchildren grow into such wonderful kids. Also surviving Nancy is her sister, Sallie Walters and husband Ron Walters; sister-in-law, Jean Grainger and husband Farley Grainger; and many nieces and nephews.

Services to celebrate Nancy’s life will be scheduled for this spring.