Obituary of Lucie Zimmermann

ZIMMERMANN - LUCIE

Lucie Zimmermann, loving and dedicated wife of Heinz, passed away peacefully after a prolonged illness, in Regina, on September 24, 2024. Lucie was born on May 23, 1936, in Malinowka, Prussia (now Poland).  Her parents were Felix and Adelgunde (Bloch) Pipke.  She was the oldest of two children, with a sister, Hilda. She was predeceased by her mother in 1992 and by her father in 1997. Her loving husband died unexpectedly while they were vacationing in Mexico, in 2007.  She is survived by her four sons: Bruce Zimmermann (Joanne) and their sons, Travis (Simone) and their son Levi, Tanner, Marcus and Maverick, of Indian Head, Sk.; Rodney Zimmermann (Janel) and his sons, Ross (Jackie), Dillon and Parker, of Regina, Sk.; Gordon Zimmermann (Susan) and their children, Hayley (Connor), Lindsey, and Liam, of Kelowna, BC; and  Donald Zimmermann (Susan) and their daughters, Julia and Lauren, of Kelowna, BC; as well as her sister Hilda (Debbie and Danny), of Kelowna, BC and her daughter-in-law, Allison Crichlow, of Regina, Sk.

Lucie grew up in Malinowka, until WWII forced them to move frequently until they settled in Wanzleben, Germany.  The family, including her parents, grandmother Bertha Pipke, and her sister emigrated to Herbert, Sk., via Quebec City in 1950 when her father began farmwork for cousins Fred and Eric Bonas, and eventually worked for CN railways and began farming himself. She graduated from Herbert High School in 1956. It was in Herbert that she met Heinz, and they were married on November 29, 1959.  They both proudly became Canadian Citizens on Sept 13, 1960. 

Her family grew quickly with Bruce born in 1961, Rodney in 1964, and the surprise of twins, Gordon and Donald in 1965. Over those years and until 1969 when the family moved to Swift Current, she supported her husband as a farmwife and raised her children almost singlehandedly while Heinz worked long days with very little time off, farming and running his solo plumbing and heating business.  That life continued until 1980, when a lifelong dream to live on the farm came to fruition with the move to the newly purchased land just north of the city where they built their ‘retirement home’. As her sons went on to university and their own careers and families, in the early 2000’s, a very slow transition to retirement began. The time was redirected to family time, and in particular, involvement with their growing number of grandchildren which they loved dearly. She loved her family and especially was excited with getting daughters-in-law and grand daughters.  Up until then, boys seemed to be the default. She was most proud of her sons, guiding them as they grew, watching  as they took part in their many activities (and always driving them) during their school years. She was proud as they excelled in university, and as all became physicians.

Her life was tragically and forever changed on a fateful day in March 2007 when Heinz died unexpectedly , while swimming, when on vacation in Mexico with her and their two youngest sons with their families. She was a very robust woman, and transitioned to independent life, finding skills and strengths she never knew she had.  She continued to rent out the farmland, bought a condo in the city, and spent time whenever she could with her children and their families.  She was a wonderful grandmother; her family was her life.  She lived a life with hard work, perseverance, honor, and most importantly, humor. She loved doing various sewing, knitting, crocheting and needlepoint projects and did those all her life from childhood to when her eyesight and fingers failed her. She loved spending her time with her amazing friends at coffee, dinner, and travelling.  She affectionately called them the ‘Widow’s club’.  Our family cannot thank you enough for the companionship and joy you brought to her.  Her most important love was always reserved for Heinz, and she remained loyal, loving, and true to him until her last days.  She never forgot him, always missed him, and we are comforted that they are now once again together.

A funeral service to honour Lucie's life will be held at 2 PM on Friday, October 4th, 2024, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, in Swift Current, SK.

Donations in memory of Lucie can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (Online: Heart-and-Stroke-Foundation/donate-link) or to a chairty of the donors choice.