Dona Zimmerman

Dona Marie Zimmerman of O’Fallon, MO, passed away at the age of 84 on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

Dona Zimmerman began her life’s grand adventure as Dona Marie Chase on August 28, 1934. Her childhood years were spent in Watertown, South Dakota, followed by attending the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota and graduating in 1956 with a degree in biology.

Dona moved to Colorado Springs where she worked for several years in a hospital pathology laboratory. While there, she met and fell in love with Ronald Zimmerman whom she married on June 22, 1959. Her grand adventure changed direction and purpose with the birth of twin sons in 1960 and a third son in 1962. She and Ron set about to raise these boys to be intellectually curious, socially thoughtful, and responsible moral citizens. While doing so, she was also personally involved with church and was a volunteer at Ten Thousand Villages.

Her journey’s path was altered by the passing of her life’s companion, Ron, in 2003. This led her to move from Kansas City to St. Louis. She developed new and meaningful friendships while staying connected to old friends.

As a lifelong learner, she stayed active and engaged. She was a voracious reader and loved to travel, observing the world from the passenger’s seat, often preferring the road less traveled.

Dona was a person full of life and faith. She relished her roles as a mother, wife, grandmother, mentor, neighbor, and friend. She journeyed beyond earthly concerns on June 11, 2019.

Dona was predeceased by her parents, Civilian and Thressa (Downs) Chase, her brother Daniel Chase, and her loving husband, Ronald Zimmerman. She is survived by her sons and their families, Robert Zimmerman, Keith Zimmerman and his wife Christine, and Phillip Zimmerman and his wife Sheila. She also had four lovely grandchildren, Sean Zimmerman, Thressa Zimmerman, Peter Zimmerman, and Chase Zimmerman.

Contributions in Dona’s name may be made to SSM Hospice.