Jeanne Harper Zimmerman

Jeanne H. Zimmerman passed on peacefully early on the first day of Spring, Tuesday, March 20, 2012. She is survived by her beloved husband of more than 65 years, Carl E. Zimmerman; daughter Freda J. Zimmerman (Ted Griffin); Kathryn M. Gallo (Raymond Sr., deceased); Trina I. Miller (Kory); grandchildren Gwendolyn K. (Stepp) Banchero, Alice I. (Freist) Moore, Kyle N. Miller (Melese), and Justin B. Miller; and great-grandchildren Thomas K. Banchero, Sarah E.A. Banchero and Lily Jeane Miller. Her parents Ruby M. (Davidson) Harper and Eugene O. Harper, and sister Edith O. (Harper) Dauzenroth predeceased her.

Born September 27, 1918 in Sedgwick, Alberta, Canada, young Jeanne Harper grew up in challenging times and circumstances. Only six years old when her mother was widowed (in Spokane, Washington), her mother struggled to keep the small family together during the 1920s. The years of the Great Depression – the 1930s - were even more difficult. After many moves, they finally landed in Seattle.

In spite of extreme poverty, Jeanne grew up in a family which valued learning, literature and culture. Although money was scarce, her mother (Ruby Harper) insisted that Jeanne obtain an excellent education. While attending the University of Washington, Jeanne worked at Suzzalo Library. Later she worked at the old Seattle Carnegie Library in downtown Seattle and at most of its Seattle branches, filling in for librarians during their vacations. In 1940, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Washington. She taught in Shelton In 1940-1, in Burlington 1941-42, and in Fall 1942 she returned to Seattle to teach and care for her mother. She was the first school librarian when Nathan Eckstein Junior High opened in Fall 1950. Later she taught in the Edmonds School District from 1961-1963, and enjoyed teaching Sunday School classes for many years.

Mother/Jeanne always said that her childhood dream was to marry a farmer and never have to move again. During a World War II U.S.O. dance, she met a tall red-headed sailor from Minnesota who dreamed of farming when the war was over – Carl E. Zimmerman. On September 28, 1946 Mom and Dad married in Minnesota where his family lived. In 1948 unexpected premature twins changed their plans. They moved back to Seattle in 1949, where Jeanne worked as a teacher and librarian. Carl found land in in Alderwood Manor which he cleared; on this acreage he built a poultry farm (South Alderwood Egg Farm). He remodeled a “little brown house” where they moved in 1950, and later he built “the Yellow House” next door where the family moved in 1956. It was in this second home that Mother passed from this earth early on the first day of Spring, in the home she treasured, surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees.

Mother anchored the family: vibrant, strong, cheering us on and cheering us up. Dad and all of us will sorely miss her, while holding happy memories of shared good times.

Although Mother prepared for a career and worked as a teacher and librarian for many years, her pride and joy was her family and home, which she improved and beautified in countless ways. Her graciousness and kindness characterized a life of goodness which was an inspiration to all, and which we will always remember.