Gerry LaRae Zimmer -Mabel

MABEL — Gerry LaRae Zimmer, 68, of Mabel, Minnesota, died June 12, 2010, at her home, after a lengthy illness.

Gerry LaRae Alderman was born June 14, 1941, in Preston, Minnesota, to Earl and Ruth (Tienter) Alderman. She grew up in Preston and Milwaukee, Wis., graduated from Preston High School in 1959, attended Austin Vocational School and became a licensed cosmetologist. She also worked as an executive secretary for Haven Hodge Realty in Rochester.

On May 3, 1963, she married Dave Zimmer at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Preston, and they made their home in Mabel for 47 years. Gerry worked for Northern Engraving in Spring Grove. She also worked as the church secretary at Mabel First Lutheran Church for 16 years and at Herzog Drugs in Mabel.

Gerry loved spending time with her family. Her family was the highlight in her life. She enjoyed going with her husband on visits to see her children and other family.

Gerry had many creative talents and interests in her life, including drawing, making flower arrangements, quilting, and scrapbooking. She loved working in her garden and grew many kinds of flowers and vegetables over the years. She also enjoyed traveling across America with her family a number of times. In recent years she could often be found spending time on the four-season porch at her home, scrapbooking or doing a crossword or logic problem in her puzzle magazines.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Dave; three children; daughter Nikki of Forest Lake, Minn., son Kyle, daughter-in-law Stacy, and granddaughter Savannah, of Maplewood, Minn., and son Ryan of Rochester; two siblings: brother Ken Alderman and sister-in-law Jean (Mitchell) Alderman of Kenyon, and sister Sandy (Alderman) Pederson and brother-in-law Rich Pederson of

Rochester; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth (Tienter) and Earl Alderman.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel, with Rev. Gail Klavetter officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials are requested to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel. www.mengisfuneralhome.com (507) 493-5129