Marion B. Zimmerman

Marion B. Zimmerman, age 95, died on Friday, September 16, 2016 at CHI St. Alexis hospital in Devils Lake, ND. From her birth on June 5, 1921 to her death on Friday she nourished the people around her with love, faith and laughter. The Prayer Service to celebrate her life will be at 7:30 pm on Monday, September 19 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake. Visitation on Monday will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday the 20th at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. Burial at the Penn Cemetery. Marion was the fourth child born to Tom Thompson and Pearl McMillin Thompson in Fillmore, ND. Her mother died days after her birth and she was raised by loving relatives until Tom married Ada Hartman Thompson. She then moved back to the farm with Tom and Ada, who added four more children to their family. She graduated from Fillmore High School on May 23, 1940. Marion married Reuben Pederson on September 28, 1940 in Leeds, ND. The young couple had two children, Ronnie and Ruby Pederson. Reuben died in a grain elevator accident on April 27, 1948. Marion then attended Minot State University to earn her teaching certificate. She started her career as a teacher of 8 grade levels at the Dry Lake School. In the 1960’s she also taught at St. Joseph’s School in Devils Lake. Marion later became a dedicated employee of Mercy Hospital in the Central Supply Unit for over 20 years. Marion and John M. Zimmerman were married on September 12, 1950. They had two children, Tom and Myrna Zimmerman. Following Johnny’s Army service in Korea they established their home on a farm in the Dry Lake Community. They retired completely from farming in 1970 and built a home in Penn, ND. This is where Marion found much joy in her life. John and Marion loved to dance. Some other favorite pastimes were gardening, babysitting her grandchildren and playing cards. She taught many people how to play Pinochle and Shanghi Rummy (Aka Alice). Even after John lost his battle to cancer in 1986 Marion continued to build strong ties with both family and friends especially the Liebfrieds. Marion was a part of the Ladies Aid, associated with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Penn, where she and Johnny worshipped. When that parish closed they joined St. Peter’s Church in Devils Lake. She remained an active member there until her passing. Marion was preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses Myrtle (John) Peterson, Doreen (Herman) Brenno,John, Bronald (Inga & Betty), Ardell, and Edwin (Darlene) Thompson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Jerome Leibfried, Martin, Matt (Inga), Joe (Elvina), Katherine, and Ralph Zimmerman. She is survived by her sister Corrine Leibfried, Devils Lake, ND and sisters-in-law Lorraine Thompson of Rugby, ND, Alice Zimmerman, Faye Zimmerman and Magdaline (Don) Pretty all of Saskatchewan, Canada; her children Ruby Koch of Lind, WA, Ronnie (Claudia) Pederson, Florence, AZ, Myrna (Tim) Heisler, Devils Lake, Tom (Mary) Zimmerman, Minot, ND and son-in-law Larry Koch, Lind, WA; grandchildren Kevin (Debbie) Koch, Manson, WA, Kreg (Lisa Larrick) Koch, Chelan, WA, Tina (Mike Gering) Shields, Lind, WA, Kim Koch, Ritzville, WA, Chad Pederson, Moorhead, MN, Troy Pederson, Fargo, ND, Jonathon (Elise) Pederson, Moorhead, MN, Tami (Jeff) Schumacher, Grand Forks, ND, Alex (Kim) Heisler, Fargo, ND, Erin (Doug) Noll, Wausau, Wi, Tara Heisler, Minneapolis, MN, Shelbi (Kayo) Grubb, Powers Lake, ND, Bianca (Brent) Groshe, Minot, ND; 24 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild who also cherished the time they got to spend with her.