Katherine "Kathy" Kay Mueller

Katherine “Kathy” Kay Mueller, age 68, of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 26, 2025. She was born on April 1, 1956 in Bismarck, North Dakota to Edward and Viona Zimmerman. The family lived on a farm near Tappen, ND. Later they moved to Jamestown, ND. Finally, Kathy moved to Lincoln, NE in 1974.

Kathy was blessed with three children: Jerry, Becky and Suzy. Starting in 1985, she worked as a paraprofessional for 8 years, while studying for her degree. After graduating from UNL in 1993 with her teaching degree, Kathy was hired as a teacher at Clinton Elementary. She worked as a resource teacher for 7 years then switched to ELL until her retirement in 2016.

Alongside her passion for teaching, Kathy also spent her time with Lincoln Optimist Clubs, the Friendship Forrest, the Foster Grandparent Program, and tutoring adults. Some of Kathy’s greatest joys were spending time with her grandchildren, sitting at the side of a lake, and reading. Her favorite collections were her snowmen & giraffes. She touched the hearts of many people and was considered to be an inspiration to even more.

Kathy is survived by her mother, Viona Zimmerman; her children Jerry (Sharon), Becky (Chris) Brennfoerder, and Suzy; grandchildren Kyle, Jessica, Chelsey, and Kayley; brother Jerome (Lynn) Zimmerman and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Edward Zimmerman; sisters Laura Zimmerman and Sylvia Martin; and her grandparents.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 3, 2025 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at Second Baptist Church, 525 N 58th Street, Lincoln, NE 68505. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Kathy’s honor to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org