February 19, 2019

Linn County News

Published Feb. 20, 2019

Carol Jeanne Zimmerman, age 84 of Olathe, Kan., died Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, at her home. Carol was born April 16, 1934, in Blackwell, Okla. She was the fifth of seven children born to Holly and Anna Pauline (Becker) Mitchell.

Carol grew up in Centerville, Kan., and graduated from Parker Rural High School in 1952. After high school, Carol attended Baker University and Pittsburg State University, studying Elementary Education.

On Sept. 12, 1954, Carol and Marvin Zimmerman were united in marriage in Troy, Kan. Together the couple had four children: Debra, Serena, Bradley and Dalene. 

While they lived in many locations throughout their early married life, they permanently settled in the Kansas City area in 1966. Carol was a stay-at-home mother and homemaker until her children were grown, and returned to the workforce in 1990. She worked in the gift shop at Overland Park Regional Medical Center for seven years and then at Stein Mart until 2002. Following her retirement, she and Marvin enjoyed traveling, visiting family and volunteering at the Chestnut Fine Arts Center.

She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who gave selflessly of her time and talents. She was an avid collector of clocks, thimbles and bells. She enjoyed quilting, needlepoint and anything involving family. Carol took great pride in her home and loved to cook. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather Lee Dickey; and her brothers, John, Reed and Dale Mitchell.

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Marvin of the home; son Bradley Zimmerman of Olathe, Kan.; daughters Debra (Bob) Payne of Stilwell, Kan., Serena (Mark) Addington of Overland Park, Kan., and Dalene (Perry) White of Nashville, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Lindsay, Ashley, Cameron, Stephen and Michael; six great grandchildren, Garrett, Jared, Grant, Will, Jayden and Bailey; two brothers, Pete Mitchell of Tampa, Fla., and Steve Mitchell of Spring Hill, Kan.; and sister Dee Anna McJilton of St. Louis, Mo., along with other family and friends. 

Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home at 203 Main in Osawatomie, Kan. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation of the Heartland, in care of the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home at PO Box 430, Osawatomie, KS 66064.