Mary Elizabeth Zimmer

Mary Elizabeth 'Betty' Zimmer, 91, of Ronan, MT passed away on Monday, May 17, 2010 at the St. Luke Extended Care Center where she had been a resident. Betty was born on February 17, 1919 in Florence, CO, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Hahn. She received her education in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. She married Harold Kilman in 1937 and had her first son, Lloyd. She later divorced in 1939. Betty and Chester W. Zimmer were then married in 1941 and lived in Vallejo, CA where their daughter, Carolyn, was born. The lived in Vallejo until WWII ended and then moved to Polson, MT in 1947. Her last two sons, Dick Zimmer and Ken Zimmer were later born in Polson. She and Chet were the owners of Flathead Plumbing, Heating and Appliances for many years. She worked there greeting and serving customers and in bookkeeping and sales. The family later bought and built the KOA on the East Shore and she lived there until Chet's retirement in the mid 1960's. Betty had the opportunity to travel extensively with Chet and, at times, with her beloved sister, Louise and her daughter, Caroline. Betty and Chet wintered for many years in Arizona and traveled to Germany to her family's origin more than once. They enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Alaska, and much of the Western and Southwestern United States. In 1985, they had also traveled to China. Later, Chet built their home in Big Arm where they lived for a number of years. She was an active member of the American Legion Ladies Auxillary. Betty had a love for flowers that lasted throughout her whole life and also had a real knack for growing things and cooking. The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson was her loved place of worship. She labored there for the parishioners, fixing and helping with many meals and attending with the priests for homilies and friendship. Her daughter-in-law, Nonna Kilman, and her granddaughter, Stephanie Kilman, precede her in death. Survivors include her husband Chet: a dear sister, Louise: brothers, John and Eddie: her sons and a daughter, Lloyd of California, Carolyn of California, Richard from Polson, MT, and Kenneth from Michigan, and Betty loved her 12 grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 1:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Polson. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Betty's family.
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