Sharon Kay Zimmer was born March 18, 1944 in Denver, Colo., to Hans Christ Jessen and Mildred Hildegarde Pekrul. She grew up in Denver with her older brother Dick, two older sisters, Marlene and Eileen, and twin brother Mike. She was active at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Denver, where she was baptized, confirmed, attended school, and participated in youth group activities. As a teenager she worked as a babysitter, retail clerk, and model. She graduated from Denver’s South High School in 1962 and received her psychology degree from Colorado State University in 1967. After graduation she worked as an executive assistant for Ringsby Truck Lines and later for Martin Marietta, an aerospace firm.
Sharon married Donald Zimmer on June 10, 1972 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They lived in Littleton, Colo., where they raised their children and attended Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. In August 1998 they moved to Oak Harbor, Wash., where they retired and attended Concordia Lutheran Church.
Sharon’s life centered on her faith, her family and watching sports. Besides attending church, Bible studies, and fellowship events, she sang in the choir for many years, enjoyed playing hymns on her piano, and prayed for those she knew.
Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. Every holiday and birthday included at least one social event with extended family and friends as well as games for all ages and too much food. She weathered 50 years of attending everyone’s baseball, basketball, and soccer games — usually in the rain. That passion for sports included watching football where she enthusiastically cheered for her Denver Broncos, often in orange apparel from the top of her cowboy hat to the bottom of her cowboy boots.
After battling heart ailments and lung cancer for several years, Sharon passed away peacefully at Summer Hill assisted living facility in Oak Harbor, Wash. on Nov. 28, 2020. She was surrounded by family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Donald. She is survived by her sons, David (and his wife, Karen) and Kelly (and his wife, Alicia); daughter Shannon; stepchildren Chris (and his wife, Patty), Tambrie, Donald Jr., and Timothy; 14 grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
In her final weeks, all she wanted was to hold her family members’ hands and hug them, listen to them read Bible stories and play Christmas music and church hymns.
Sharon will be missed dearly and remembered for her kindness, words of encouragement, humility, beautiful blue eyes, and simple focus on faith and family. Her last words with family before going to bed, hanging up the phone, or parting ways were always the same, “I love you” — we love you too. ♥
The Zimmer family suggests donations be made in Sharon Zimmer’s name to Concordia Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor, Wash.
A private memorial service for Sharon was held Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020 at Concordia Lutheran Church, followed by a graveside at Maple Leaf Cemetery, where she was laid to rest next to her beloved Donald.
Arrangements entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor, Wash. Please visit Sharon’s page in our Book of Memories online at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and leave condolences.
