Helen Zimmerman

Helen Zimmerman, 91, of Topeka, died July 6, 2007 at her daughter’s home in Scranton.

Helen was born April 12, 1916 in Hatch, New Mexico the daughter of Ralph Clevenger and Dolores Clevenger Garrett.  She was raised by her mother and step father Frank Garrett.  Helen received a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from New Mexico State Teachers College.

She taught school in New Mexico and Arizona before moving to Topeka where she taught third grade at Tecumseh North Elementary School from 1960 to 1978. .

In addition to her love of teaching, Helen enjoyed painting using oils as her medium, cooking, baking, canning and sewing.

Helen was baptized a Roman Catholic; she had attended St. Matthew Church, where she volunteered at the school.  She also recently attended Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church.  Helen was a member of Shawnee County Teachers Recreation Club, Ladies of Columbus, KNEA and NEA.

She was married to Carl F. Zimmerman on December 21, 1940 in Silver City, New Mexico.  He predeceased her on January 17, 2004.  A sister, Pat Kelly also preceded her in death.

Mrs. Zimmerman is survived by a son, Steve Zimmerman and wife, Deby and grandsons, Shaun and Cody, all of Topeka; one daughter Jeanne Johnson of Scranton; granddaughter, Jennifer Traphagan; great-granddaughters Josie Johnson and Madyson Bourne; grandson, Carl Johnson and great-grandson, Jacob Johnson. Other survivors include three brothers; Frank E. Garrett and his wife Anna of Rochester, MN, Robert Garrett and his wife Margaret of Crescent City, CA and Louis Garrett and his wife Carmen in N.C.

The funeral service for Helen will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until the service hour.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care, Heartland Hospice or  Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders and sent in care of the funeral home.