Grace Henrietta Moenk Zimmerman

Grace Henrietta Moenk Zimmerman

Anamosa

Grace Zimmerman, 95, died Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Pinicon Place Senior Living.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024 at SS Peter and Paul Lutheran Church rural Monticello with interment in Prairie Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 until 8 p.m. Friday at the Avacentre, rural Anamosa. Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa has taken Grace and her family into their care.

As an accomplished writer, Grace was wise enough to compose her own obituary. Here, in her words, is her amazing life story.

I was born to Menno Moenk and Anna Caspers Moenk near Hardscrabble, Monticello, Iowa, on November 29, 1928, at home. I attended country school, graduated from Central City High School, and received an Elementary Education Certificate after one summer at State Teachers College. I began teaching at the same country school that I attended, then taught elementary and junior high for Midland Community Schools. I taught for a total of 31 years. While teaching, I continued my education at local colleges and graduated with honors from the University of Iowa in 1968.

In 1948 I met the love of my life, Paul Zimmerman, attracted by the navy uniform and his love of dancing. We were married on June 7, 1948, at SS Peter & Paul Lutheran Church. We were blessed with three children, daughter Diana, and sons Andrew and Bradley.

I was baptized, confirmed and married at SS Peter & Paul. Over the years, I served as Sunday School teacher, council member, church secretary, and preached in absentia for the church.

I served as the Jones County Treasurer for 13 years and upon retirement felt great joy in reading thank-you cards from hundreds of taxpayers for my service.

Paul and I purchased a farm on Old Cass Road in 1967, leading to my involvement in promotion of agricultural organizations. As a member of the Jones County Farm Bureau, I was appointed to the board, sponsoring classroom activities in area schools. One of my most interesting tasks was writing, directing, and acting in a play about products raised by farmers. I served as chair of the Farm Bureau Policy Implementation Committee, organizing legislative meetings and keeping updated with agriculture issues. In 1998, I was initiated into the Jones County Beef Hall of Fame.

I began public speaking while President of the Jones County Cow Belles, an auxiliary of the Cattlemen’s Association, and continued to entertain and inform all over Iowa as a humorist and educator for many years. My motto was “give me a topic and I’ll give you a spiel.” My speaking engagements included promoting agriculture, conservation, historic preservation, and hunting for morel mushrooms.

I developed a comedy routine, “Lena, met Ole” and donned full Lena garb for added flair. In the 2000’s, I regularly participated in improv performances at the Theatre Cedar Rapids. My hope is to be remembered by my ability to make people laugh as I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating life with laughter.

In 2005, I auditioned at Starlighters Theatre and was cast in my first role as Harriet Beecher Stowe in “Mark Twain,” followed by a role in “Oliver” in 2006, and enjoyed the role of Maude in “Harold and Maude” in 2009. I like to say I was part of the singing scenery in “Brigadoon” in 2012. I served on the marketing team and firmly believe in the Starlighters’ mission.

As I writer I contributed monthly articles to the Maquoketa Valley REC “Watts Current” to inform the community about REC members’ entrepreneurship and dedicated work ethic. Writing was one of my favorite hobbies, always with a touch of humor. I was an active freelance writer, submitting articles to various publications on a variety of topics.

After becoming a member of the Izaak Walton League of America serving in various offices speaking and writing about conservation, I served as president and was the recipient of two prestigious Tobin awards.

My special joys were my grandchildren, Matthew, Rachel, and Leah Zimmerman. They often spent time visiting grandma and grandpa on the farm, helping me in the garden, playing down at the pond, and joining me in the hunt for morels.

I may have moved to town, but I’m a country girl at heart. My spirit lingers at the farm pond, enjoying the wildflowers and searching for morels. I loved life with a fullness enjoying dancing, bowling, humor, gardening, making homemade salsa, and entertaining others. No matter what decision is made by the higher authority, I’ll be dancing to rock ‘n’ roll, singing whenever the mood hits.

I was preceded in death by my husband of 56 years, Paul Zimmerman, and two brothers Andrew Moenk and Garret Moenk.

Survivors include children, Diana, Andrew (Glenda), and Bradley. Grandchildren Matthew (Emily) Zimmerman, Rachel (Zack) Williams, Leah Price. Great-Grandchildren Ben & Tessa Williams, Eli & Quinn Zimmerman, and Max, Alex, & Emilia Price. Sister Lillian O’Brien Osthaus and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be directed to SSPP Lutheran Church, Starlighters Theatre or the Anamosa Public Library

Postscript: Grace’s family and friends will miss her easy smile, her friendship, and most of all, her sense of humor.