Mabel Maurine Zimmerman

Mabel Maurine Troyer Zimmerman was born February 3, 1922 near Jet, Oklahoma to Samuel J. and Iva Miller Troyer. Maurine had an older brother, Mervin, and twin brother and sister, Wilbur and Wilma.

She attended the Jet consolidated school for first and second grade. In 1930 the family moved from the farm in Jet, Oklahoma to a farm west of Harper, Kansas. Maurine then attended a one room country school, Nebo. After graduating from eighth grade, she attended Harper High School, graduating in 1940. Later, she attended Special Bible Term at Hesston Academy.

In her youth, Maurine helped farm women at harvest time with cooking and caring for small children. After graduation from high school, she worked as a maid in Wichita, caring for twin girls. Later, she returned to Harper and worked as a clerk at Starr’s Variety Store, then as a billing clerk at Western Power and Electric in Harper.

Maurine married Vernon Zimmerman on March 25, 1945. She was a member of Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church, being baptized December 3, 1933. Family and church were a very important part of her life. Vernon and Maurine loved children and welcomed into their home, Loretta, Ila, Orval, Maxine, Joe, Verl, and Veva. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave her great enjoyment and she said playing with her grandchildren was better than having a spotless house. Maurine moved to the Harper Hospital’s Intermediate Care Wing in 2015.

For many years Maurine taught Sunday School and Bible School, serving as Children’s Sunday School Superintendent and GMSA Sponsor. She also was active in the Women’s Missionary and Service Commission, serving as an officer, locally and for the church conference. She volunteered many hours at the Union Rescue Mission in Wichita. She loved reading, and read through the Bible numerous times. Maurine enjoyed cooking and compiled a cookbook, “Granny, I’m Hungry.” She wrote letters to family and friends keeping in contact weekly with family. She sewed many bags for school kits for Mennonite Central Committee, and embroidered quilt blocks for beautiful quilts. She enjoyed helping her children with school projects, including the annual soil conservation poster and essay contest.

She is survived by children: Loretta (Henry) Hawkins, Rockingham, VA; Ila Zimmerman, Iowa City, IA; Orval Zimmerman, Harper, KS; Maxine (Ralph) Magri, Rockingham, VA; Joe (Kathy) Zimmerman, Harper, KS; Verl (Linda) Zimmerman, Harper, KS and Veva (Jeff) Mumaw, Harrisonburg, VA; 13 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Her wish for each family member was to find Jesus as their Savior, and also to find peace, happiness, and contentment.

On February 19, 2019, Maurine passed away at the age of 97 years and 16 days. Maurine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vernon in 1995, brothers Mervin and Wilbur, and sister Wilma.

Friends may register from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Funeral service is 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church in Harper. A private family burial will precede the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Maurine may be made to Mennonite Central Committee for Relief & Hygiene Kits or to Heifer International and can be sent in care of the funeral home.