Deanna June Zimmerman

Deanna June Olson was born March 23, 1938 in Rockford, Illinois, to Gerhard and Gladys (Berg) Olson. Deanna grew up in Huron, South Dakota where she attended grade school. Her family moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where Deanna graduated from East High School in 1955 as Valedictorian. She attended Drake University for a year, and went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Morningside College in Sioux City in 1959. As a young girl, Deanna played the piano and was active in the high school choir. She also did some fashion modeling for Younkers. Deanna married Denis Zimmerman on July 1, 1960 at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, and to this union, three sons were born: Andrew Noel, Eric Gerhard, and Ryan Douglas. Denis spent his career in the US Navy, and because of this, the family lived in several different places, including Sioux City, Norfolk, Virginia, Bermuda, British West Indies, Rising Sun, Maryland, Columbus, Nebraska, and Omaha. Denis preceded Deanna in death in June 2011. Deanna taught piano lessons, worked for Younkers, Home Federal, House of Lloyd, H&R Block, and owned the Santa Surplus Store for over 30 years together with Denis. She also owned and operated the Cover to Cover Book Store in Omaha for 6 years. Due to her success with House of Lloyd, Deanna was awarded numerous opportunities to travel the world. She enjoyed playing badminton, croquet, and cards, especially Pinochle. Deanna loved listening to music, following politics, dining out, particularly at Red Lobster, and the affection of her two Corgis, Teddy and Tillie. Deanna was a caring and giving woman, with a sharp wit, and fantastic sense of humor. She would spend hours tending to her garden, and watching football, be it the Cornhuskers or professional. Deanna enjoyed a good margarita, and liked PBR before it was “cool”. She was proud of her marriage, her kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and especially happy when the family would vacation at Lake Okoboji. She will be remembered as a patient, loving, accepting, intelligent, and funny woman, with a forgiving nature. Deanna passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at the Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 73 years, 10 months, and 16 days. She is preceded in death by her parents, Gerhard and Gladys, and her husband, Denis. Deanna is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law Andy of Omaha, Eric and Oma of Amarillo, TX, Ryan and Rebecca of College Station, TX, grandchildren: Amanda Smith, Evan Zimmerman, William Zimmerman, Thomas Zimmerman, Ian Zimmerman, great granddaughters: Rose and Faith Smith, sister Martha (Olson) Morley and husband Tom of Sioux City, and her beloved Corgis; Teddy and Tillie. Visitation and fellowship meal with the family Monday, 2/13/2012 from 4-7 PM at the funeral home. Memorials to the Nebraska Humane Society or the Melanoma Research Foundation, www.melanoma.org.

Deanna June Zimmerman

March 23, 1938 - February 8, 2012