Frances June (Richartz) Zimmerman passed away June 18th, 2022 at The Cottage in the Meadow of Yakima Washington surrounded by her family at her bedside. She passed away from a very rare and short condition related the her gastric bypass surgery. Frances was born 8/8/1951 to Betty (Wilcox) in Seattle Washington. That day Frances was adopted by Betty's sister Bertha Eloise (Wilcox) Richartz and her husband, Henry Francis Richartz.
She had originally entered college in 1969 at YVCC with plans to become an opera singer. In February 1970 Frances left YVCC to marry Regan Anthony Wakefield "Rick" and in February 1971 her only daughter Dana Anne Wakefield was born. After 16 years together she and Rick went their separate ways. Frances went back to YVCC and became a registered Nurse, starting her lifelong nursing career in March 1973 at St. Elizabeth Sisters of Providence Hospital working her way through the hospital eventually becoming hospice manager and toward the end of her career retiring as a rehab RN and intake coordinator. In 1994 she married her life partner Jackie Wayne Zimmerman. Frances and Jack had just celebrated 28 years of marriage in March of 2022. She loved taking care of people, patients and family; including taking care of her 13 year older sister Jeannie up to 7 months before her passing. Jack's dad, Leroy; brothers and their spouses Johnny, Kelly, Danny, Randy and sisters Billie, Nieces Kim and Ruthie, her BFF, welcomed Frances right into their family. Jack and Frances enjoyed spending their time together with family, camping, going the mountains, beaches and all over the state. She was well known for her "Honey-Do" lists which Everyone had some part in.
Frances' hobbies included gardening, camping, and she loved being on the water boating and fishing. She was an avid reader, reading 5-8 crime novels or murder mysteries a week. She was fascinated with sci-fi especially Star Trek and Mr. Spock. She had seen and read every Star Trek movie, episode, spin-off and book. She was very proud of her heritage and always seeking information about her genealogy.
Frances' mom, sister, aunts and cousins were enrolled tribal members of the Yakama Nation and were direct descendants of Yakama's Chief Owhi and great-great granddaughter of Chief Leschi of the Nisqually tribe. She was always the person in her family that anyone could come to to discuss a problem or dilemma. She was the binder for all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the family. She is preceded by Betty (Wilcox), Bertha Eloise (Wilcox) Richartz 1913-1983 and Henry Francis Richartz 1894-1978, and her brother Daryll Fredrick Richartz 1936-1936. Frances is survived by her daughter Dana Anne (Wakefield) Young and spouse, Mark; husband Jackie Wayne Zimmerman; Puppies Gracie, Junebug and Cooper; Half brothers Gary Seeberger and spouse, David Seeberger and spouse Grandchildren: Christopher Regan Adamsom, David Mark Young, Taylor June Adamson, and Griffin Mead Young; Great-grandchildren, Caliber Adamson, Lilly Adamson, Aaralynn Young, Nova Young, Neoangelo Moncivaiz, Marci Venegas, Eli Venegas, Taylor Venegas, Darlene Venegas; sister Jeanie Haubrick; Cousins Tim Peterson, Tony Peterson, Cate Ruskin, Bill Hacker; nieces Tammy Henley, Jeanette Pomerenke, Julie Eichler and many other family and friends.
