Mary Lou Zimmerman

Mary Lou Zimmerman (nee Derr), of Kutztown, passed away peacefully on August 13th in her home.  She was 85 years old.

Mary Lou was the wife of the late H. Neal Zimmerman whom she was married to for 57 years.  Raised in Topton, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Sarah (Weidner) Derr. She was predeceased by brothers, Fred Derr Jr., Ernest Derr and a sister, Christine Herbein Snyder.

Mary Lou is survived by four loving children.  Michael and wife Joanie (Meadville), Dean and wife Taren (New Tripoli), Michele Mertz (Kutztown) and Gregory (Leesport).  In addition, she had 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren who all were the apples of her eye. Everyone in her family enjoyed Mary Lou’s baking, especially shoo-fly pies which didn’t last very long at holidays or on family vacations.  Her chocolate chip cookies were a close second.

Mary Lou enjoyed various hobbies including painting, biking, gardening, and traveling to many places in the U.S. and the Caribbean with her late husband Neal.  One of their goals was to visit every state in the US and they got very close to visiting all of them.  But her favorite thing to do was to watch and cheer on her grandchildren as they participated in sports, concerts, and other activities. She was their biggest cheerleader and did her best to have perfect attendance at everything they did.

Mary Lou was all about family.  One of the traditions she always looked forward to was the annual summer beach trip with the entire family.  Ocean City, NJ was her favorite destination. She was known for her sweet tooth.  At the beach it was Johnson's caramel popcorn, Kohr's frozen custard and fudge from the boardwalk.  At home frequent trips were made to Herman's in Topton and anywhere she could to find a Dunkin Donut. She got teased a lot that there was always a Pepsi waiting for her in the refrigerator.  

Mary Lou was a member of St John's U.C.C. and always looked forward to candy making with the group.  Her specialty was rolling the peanut butter eggs.

A memorial service will be Saturday October 1st at 11 A.M. at St. John’s UCC, 257 W. Walnut Street, Kutztown.
Inurnment is private. Contributions in her memory can be made to St. John's U.C.C. 257 West Walnut Street, Kutztown, PA 19530.

In Lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Johns UCC.

Edward J. Hildenbrand Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements. 

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