Clara Zimmerman

Clara Ann Zimmerman, 84, of Oakley, died Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at the Logan County Hospital, in Oakley. She was born November 14, 1936, to Tony and Gertrude (Fellhoelter) Surmeier, at Angelus, Sheridan County, KS in the home of her grandparents, Henry and Theresa (Schumacher) Fellhoelter. Clara was known as “Sugarplum” to her paternal grandparents, Bill and Clara (Schulte) Surmeier, of Brighton, CO. She graduated from Oakley High School in 1954 with high honors. On November 8, 1955, Clara married Ralph Zimmerman, and to this union, five children were born. Clara enjoyed sewing and baking, and was a square-dancing leader. She served as a 4-H leader, CYO Sponsor, and was a member of the Altar Society. Clara especially loved supporting her grandchildren in all their activities.

Ralph and Clara made their home on a farm south of Grinnell. Clara worked hard milking cows, gardening, helping with farming and chores, baking, and sewing. She designed and made her wedding dress, as well as her daughters, and many bridesmaid dresses. Many youth would spend time at the farm making memories. A favorite was Clara’s homemade french fries (sometimes even for breakfast). Clara created her own recipe for cinnamon bread which remains the grandkids' favorite. Ralph and Clara hosted many Totus Tuus leaders and always made sure they felt welcomed. It brought Clara great joy to use her God given talents to create personalized gifts and do altering for others. Ralph and Clara always enjoyed playing cards or games with anyone that would visit.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Theresa Surmeier & Alvin Surmeier & daughters-in-law, Debbie Zimmerman & Dusty Zimmerman.

She is survived by her husband Ralph, of Oakley; children, Ron (Steph) Zimmerman, of Hays, KS, Ray Zimmerman, of Calhan, CO, Randall (Stef) Zimmerman, of Junction City, KS, Barb (Kyle) Hemmert, of Oakley, KS and Joan (Daniel) Schultz, of Grainfield, KS; 16 grandchildren, Travis, Eric, Shawn, R.J., B.J., Ty, Rylee and Tate Zimmerman, Rindi Guldner, Bailey Shalberg, Brooke Heiman, Kenzie Carlgren, Kade and Kolt Hemmert, Zoe and Livia Schultz; 25 great grandchildren, Elijah, Juli, Alyse, Mason, Ben, Brady, Boston, Jadyn, Paisley, Aubrey, Brinley, Ezra, Kaycee, Karter, Kamron, Benny and Violet Zimmerman, Caeden, Kayleigh and Callen Guldner, Slade and Sutton Shalberg, John Paul and Kooper Carlgren, and Banks Heiman; siblings, Henry (Sharon) Surmeier, Springfield, OR, Fr. Bill Surmeier, Hays, KS and Tony Surmeier, Colby, KS.

Visitation is 4-6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 21, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley, with a Vigil at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 22, 2021, at the church, with burial in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph School or Logan County Hospital and may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com