Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Vedral Zimmer passed away gently and lovingly on October 12, 2023 in her Rockville, MD home. She was 102. Born in Clarkson, Nebraska, she was the strong matriarch of her 40 family members. Clearly, the large family that she nurtured made her most happy and proud. Pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, Joe, Betty is survived by her 5 children, Mike, Pat, Joanne, Eileen, and Mary Beth. Betty treasured her 10 grandchildren, Alison, Amy, Brian, Ed, Erica, Isaac, Jenny, John, Kevin, and Kristen. Betty was really amazed by her 14 great grandchildren, Anabelle, Beau, Cecilia, Declan, Elijah, Emmet, Julia, Leila, Madeline, Maya, Milo, Noa, Owen, and Penelope. All the spouses who married into the family loved Betty as their “Mom”, Arlene, Art, Chris, Cristina, Erica, Mattie, Rene, Scott, and TAD.
A graduate of Grand Island Business College, Betty left her Nebraska home during World War II years to work for the Federal Government in Philadelphia and Washington DC at the Pentagon.
But it was at home that Betty really shined! Each member of her family will be her legacy. She regularly supported her kids’ school, academic, and sports activities. Betty excelled in gardening, baking, cooking, sewing, art, crafting, furniture refinishing, and house renovating! Whether it was a tin of homemade cookies, scratch-made Thanksgiving Dinner, relaxing talks around the kitchen table, or Betty literally running inside the house, we all smile at these memories. Her family learned so much from her ever-present example. Many can visualize her painting a wall, practicing her creative thriftiness, and her quiet kindness, encouragement, and cheerful yet stoic ways.
Betty Zimmer’s Funeral will be at Noon on October 30, at Little Flower Church, 5607 Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda, MD 20816. Betty will be buried with her loving husband, Joseph F. Zimmer, in Arlington National Cemetery on January 9, 2024 at 9:00 AM. Instead of flowers, please send donations to: (1) Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH #353) Contact: William Lee [email protected] 571-329-0637 (2) Maple Ridge Cedar Creek Associates, 15908 Maple Ridge CT, Rockville, MD 20853 or (3) St. Patrick’s Church, 4101 Norbeck Rd, Rockville, MD 20853.
