Clara Ann Zimmerman, 84, of Oakley, died Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at
the Logan County Hospital, in Oakley. She was born November 14, 1936, to
Tony and Gertrude (Fellhoelter) Surmeier, at Angelus, Sheridan County,
KS in the home of her grandparents, Henry and Theresa (Schumacher)
Fellhoelter. Her paternal grandparents were Bill and Clara (Schulte)
Surmeier, of Brighton, CO. She graduated from Oakley High School in 1954
with high honors. On November 8, 1955, Clara married Ralph Zimmerman,
and to this union, five children were born. Clara enjoyed sewing and
baking, and was a square-dancing leader. She served as a 4-H leader, CYO
Sponsor, and was a member of the Altar Society. Clara especially loved
supporting her grandchildren in all their activities.
Ralph and Clara made their home on a farm south of Grinnell. Clara
worked hard milking cows, gardening, helping with farming and chores,
baking, and sewing. She designed and made her wedding dress, as well as
her daughters, and many bridesmaid dresses. Many youth would spend time
at the farm making memories. A favorite was Clara’s homemade french
fries (sometimes even for breakfast). Clara created her own recipe for
cinnamon bread which remains the grandkids' favorite. Ralph and Clara
hosted many Totus Tuus leaders and always made sure they felt welcomed.
It brought Clara great joy to use her God given talents to create
personalized gifts and do altering for others. Ralph and Clara always
enjoyed playing cards or games with anyone that would visit.
Clara was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Theresa Surmeier and Alvin Surmeier.
She is survived by her husband Ralph, of Oakley; children, Ron (Steph)
Zimmerman, of Hays, KS, Ray Zimmerman, of Calhan, CO, Randall (Stef)
Zimmerman, of Junction City, KS, Barb (Kyle) Hemmert, of Oakley, KS and
Joan (Daniel) Schultz, of Grainfield, KS; 16 grandchildren, Travis,
Eric, Shawn, R.J., B.J., Ty, Rylee and Tate Zimmerman, Rindi Guldner,
Bailey Shalberg, Brooke Heiman, Kenzie Carlgren, Kade and Kolt Hemmert,
Zoe and Livia Schultz; 23 great grandchildren, Elijah, Juli, Alyse,
Mason, Ben, Brady, Boston, Jadyn, Paisley, Aubrey, Brinley, Ezra,
Kaycee, Karter, Kamron, Benny and Violet Zimmerman, Caeden, Kayleigh and
Callen Guldner, Slade and Sutton Shalberg, John Paul Carlgren, and
Banks Heiman; siblings, Henry (Sharon) Surmeier, Springfield, OR, Fr.
Bill Surmeier, Hays, KS and Tony Surmeier, Colby, KS and special niece,
Brandy (Chris) Becker and children, Lauryn, Taelyr and Kamryn.
Visitation is 4-6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 21, 2021, at St. Joseph
Catholic Church, Oakley, with a Vigil at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:00
a.m. Monday, February 22, 2021, at the church, with burial in the
church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph School or Logan
County Hospital and may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box
204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences visit
www.baalmannmortuary.com