Jeanne Arlene Zimmerman

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/y7Rhj--QobI 

Jeanne Arlene (Widley) Zimmerman was born February 26, 1934, to Ted and Lillian (Hanson) Widley of Hunter, North Dakota. She died peacefully at the age of 91 on November 13, 2025, at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Jeanne grew up on the family farm outside of Hunter, North Dakota. Growing up, she enjoyed playing baseball and basketball and was an avid basketball fan throughout her life. She attended Moorhead State Teachers College and helped her brother and mother farm following her father’s death in 1948.

She was united in marriage to LaVern Zimmerman, and they were blessed with five daughters. Jeanne’s family was the most important thing in her life. She and LaVern raised their family in Devils Lake and Rolla, and thoroughly enjoyed a life of fun, noise, camping trips, and many pets. Jeanne was active in the community, particularly in the American Legion Auxiliary. If their girls were involved in an activity, Jeanne and LaVern were involved too. Jeanne also managed the clinic in Rolla. In 1988, Jeanne and LaVern moved to Drayton to be closer to their daughters. In Drayton, the grandkids enjoyed many sleepovers, trips to the restaurant, playground, and pool in the station wagon, and if they were lucky (they usually were), treats of ice cream, movie rentals, or beanie babies. Jeanne and LaVern spent their retirement gardening, staying involved in the church, and travelling to see grandkids and support them in their various activities and sports. Jeanne loved reading, taking care of her flowers, and was always ready to watch when the Minnesota Lynx or Timberwolves had a game.

Left to mourn her passing: daughters Ramona (Tim) Whalen, Neva (John) Stoebner, Deena (Harlen) Steen, Shawna (John) Peterson, and Rhonda (Mark) Peterson; grandchildren Sarah and Megan Whalen; Ben, Andrew (Jocelyn), and Zachary (Katie) Stoebner; Terri (Ron), Jennifer (Darren), Trevor (Jenny), and Tyler (Taylor) Steen; Elsie and Marnie Peterson, and Carly Shay (Isaac) Black; Grant (Mariom), Jay (Annie), Brett, and Kathryn (Layton) Peterson; great-grandchildren Kendra, Kaden, and Kenzi Ekereke; Emery Steen; Tylan and Tayver Steen; and Teddie Kate and Maisie Jeanne Black; in-laws Lorene Hoff, LeRoy Zimmerman, Steven (Connie) Zimmerman, and Keith (Pam) Zimmerman; special cousins Vernon (Sheryl) Hanson and Janette Munson; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband LaVern; her parents, Ted and Lillian; brother Merle; sisters- and brothers-in-law Phyllis Widley, Gladys and Floyd Beck, Harry Hoff, Francis and Milbert Joachim, Rose Marie and Alvin Wiest; and grandson Nicholas Stoebner.

We trust that her stubborn and steadfastly loving heart is now at peace, and we will miss every bit of it. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.

Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 P.M. Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks, ND, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Memorials may be made to: Valley Senior Living on Columbia, American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.