Mildred Zimmerman

Mildred Zimmerman

(nee Olmstead)

1914 - 2009

Our family would like to invite friends and relatives to a Memorial Service in celebration of Mom's life. The service is on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper Street S., Portage la Prairie at 1:30 pm.

Mom passed away December 15, 2009 with her family by her side. It was Mom's wish that we all return to our homes for Christmas and wait until summer to have a memorial service. Our families are gathering in Portage to remember and honour Mom and we hope that you might be able to join us. Bev Bachalo, Donna Kennedy, Bob Zimmerman and families.

Should friends so desire memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Church Memorial Fund, c/o Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper Street S., Portage la Prairie MB R1N 1W7 or to a charity of their choice.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel 857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

Surrounded by her family who had gathered from across Western Canada, Mildred passed away on Tuesday, Dec 15th at the Portage General Hospital. Four generations of family were blessed to be able to sing some of her favourite hymns as she left us to be reunited with her life partner, Clayton. She lived 95 wonderful years and in the words of one of her Great Grandchildren, "Nana was a trooper! "

Mildred was predeceased by her husband, Clayton, her brothers Leonard and Orville Olmstead and her parents Wes and Minnie Olmstead. Left to remember her with love are her daughter, Beverley Bachalo of Portage and her granddaughter, Cathy (Pat Workman) of Minto ,grandsons Daryl (Jen Bachalo) of Portage & Eric Bachalo (Tracy Fowler) of Kelowna, her daughter, Donna ( Marsh Kennedy) of Canmore and grandsons Garth Kennedy(Jenny Saarinen) of Calgary and Grant (Christine Kennedy) of Calgary & Foster granddaughter Sherry Magel of Winnipeg and her son , Bob (Linda Zimmerman )of Quesnel, BC and grandson Jeff of Edmonton. Also remembering her are her great grandchildren, Riley and Tyler Workman, Keaton, Tristan and Bailey Bachalo, Sydney and Samantha Bachalo, & Ruby Kennedy. Mildred has one surviving sister Joyce Westhead of Winnipeg.

Mildred was born in Greg, Manitoba May 6th 1914. She attended Wingham Consolidated School before going into Psychiatric Nursing at the Manitoba School. In 1939, she married Clayton Zimmerman. For more than 30 years they raised their family at 229 Queen Ave., surrounded by a safe, caring neighbourhood. Together they started farming in the Curtis-Salem district in 1961. In 1973 they moved out to the farm where Clayton had been raised. The family has many fond memories of gatherings there.

After Clayton's death in 1991, Mildred moved back into Portage. At the time of her passing she was a valued resident of Dalton Estates, surrounded by a community of good friends. Mildred's life was centered around her family, her church & her friends. Mildred was considered the matriarch of the family. Her great memory made her an invaluable source of family information over the years.

She was also a constant supporter of all her family's activities including sports, music & schooling. She was a generous soul. The "Bank of Nana" funded many of their goals and dreams and it was always appreciated. Mildred was a baker of goodies, a talented sewer (from wedding dresses to Halloween costumes), a gardener willing to share her harvest and a great community supporter. She was a long time season ticket holder of the Terriers and the William Glesby concert series. This year Mildred received her 65 year bar for her involvement in the Order of Royal Purple. Mildred has been a loyal member of Trinity United Church. She enjoyed being involved in the UCW Unit B. In the past, she served as Superintendent of Sunday School, President of the UCW, and Presbytery Representative. Another important interest involved square dancing where she and Clayton developed many lifelong friendships.

The family thanks the staff of the ICU for their care and compassion.

To Our Mom & Nana

For helping, listening, guiding, sharing, For understanding and for caring

For all of this and much more, too,

Our hearts are filled with love for you.