Ann Marie Zimmerman, 97, of Wahpeton, ND, formerly of Kent, MN, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2014, at St. Catherine's Living Center in Wahpeton. The visitation will be Thursday, March 28, from 12- 1:00PM at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home in Breckenridge, MN, followed by the funeral at 1:00PM at the funeral home. Pastor Ken Kirchenwitz will be officiating.
Ann came into this world on December 27, 1916, one of 3 daughters born to Claude and Ella (Sterling) Kamp, in Pleasantville, Iowa. The family then moved to Wolverton, MN where Ann attended school, graduating high school in 1934. On September 22, 1934, she was united in marriage to Earl Zimmerman in Breckenridge, MN. They were blessed with two boys, David and Dick. They lived in rural Wolverton and eventually moved to McCauleyville, then Kent, Minnesota. Over the years, Ann and Earl owned and operated two grocery stores and a café in Kent. The Cozy Corner Café, known for its generous sized portions and Ann's delicious homemade cooking, was open for 12 years. Following the restaurant business, Ann cooked for the residents at St. Catherine's Living Center when it was known as the "Rehab." For a period of time, the students at Abercrombie School got to enjoy Ann's cooking before she began employment at the Valley Lake Boys Home as their cook. Earl passed away on January 4, 1994. She continued to live in Kent until 2006, when she moved into Appletree Court in Breckenridge.
In her spare time, Ann enjoyed playing bingo and was quite good at playing Whist and other card games. She loved tending her flower garden, kicking up her heels on the dance floor, and had a warm place in her heart for "Sammy" the cat. She also had a unique collection of 'ladies head' vases.
Ann is survived by her son, Dick Zimmerman of Wahpeton, ND; two grandchildren, Susan Anderson of Breckenridge, MN and Karen (Gary) Ford of Grandforks, ND; five great-grandchildren, Brian (Mindy) Kamp of Moorhead, MN, Chris Kamp of Dickinson, ND, Patti (Jarin) Shaible of Regent, ND, Nick (Shandi Pesch and her son, Thomas) Ford of East Grand Forks, MN, and Cody Ford, of Grand Forks, ND; and 9 great-great grandchildren.
Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Ella Kamp; her husband Earl; her son David; and two sisters, Lois Schneider and Ruth Gordon.