Nera Joy Zimmer, age 95 of Des Moines, IA, formerly of Early, IA, passed away on Saturday, August 31st, 2024, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, surrounded by family.
Nera was born on October 28th, 1928, on a farm near Lake View, IA, to parents Reinard and Frances (Breon) Janssen. She was welcomed home by her brother Reinard and two sisters, Arlene and Ardola. Following Nera, two more children were born, Wanda and Marvin. The six of them had a lot of fun together growing up on the farm.
Nera graduated in 1947 from Lake View High School in Lake View. After high school, she worked at a cafe in Early, where she caught the eye of Milton Zimmer while waiting tables. They married on August 6th, 1948, and resided in Early. Milton and Nera were blessed with four daughters, Pamela, Patricia, Paula, and Pennie.
Nera enjoyed life to the fullest and was never one to sit still for long. She golfed, baked, camped, and traveled often to visit family members. She walked beans in the summer when she wasn't cooking for her many "kids" at the school. She fed hundreds every week; they all enjoyed her cinnamon rolls and cookies. Even the teachers would come down between classes and ask if there were any extras.
Both Nera and Milton were very patriotic. Milton was a member of the American Legion and Nera the American Legion Auxiliary. They traveled to countless meetings, local, county, and statewide. Nera and several Auxiliary friends would wear red, white, and blue, and sing "God Bless America" to start their meetings. Every year, Nera took her daughters door to door selling poppies for the veterans. Eventually her daughters would split up to cover the whole town and enlisted friends to help. She would have cookies and juice for everyone when they were done. Every Memorial Day Nera laid a wreath on the unknown soldier's grave at the Early cemetery, the last time being in 2022, at the age of ninety-three. She was able to take a trip to Washington D.C. that she really enjoyed. Nera loved her family and always looked forward to spending time with them. They will miss her dearly as will all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her children, Pamela (Harry) Mundt of Ames, IA, Patricia (Roger) Vanderflute of Leon, IA, Paula (Ron) Keener of West Des Moines, IA, and Pennie (Jay) Irwin of Early, IA; grandchildren: Melissa (Darren) Sieben of Olathe, KS, Andrea (Ben) Hall of Huxley, IA, Nickclaus (Angela) Mundt of Ames, IA, Theron (Megan) Vanderflute of Norwalk, IA, Kelsie Vanderflute of Norwalk, IA, Trevor (Kaitlin) Irwin of Adel, IA, and Samantha Irwin of Storm Lake, IA; ten great-grandchildren: Emily, Alaina, Lino, Cort, Brooks, Crew, Kaylynn, Jack, Ginny, and Raleigh; sister Wanda Bulten of Early, IA; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Nera was preceded in death by her husband, Milton; parents Reinard and Frances Janssen; and siblings Reinard Janssen, Arlene Heun, Ardola Huisenga, and Marvin Janssen.
