Obituary: ZIMMER, ELISABETH

Elisabeth Sulzmann Zimmer1917 ~ 2012Elizabeth (Elsbeth) Sulzmann Zimmer quietly slipped away on 23 July 2012, just short of her 95th birthday. In the past few years, the ravages of dementia and Alsheimer's pilfered memories she had cultivated over nine decades. The earliest harken back to her youth in Switzerland. She was a top student in the exclusive Schwestern Schule and later Basel's Music Conservatory. Her aspiration to certify as a kindergarten teacher had to be shelved so she could help her mother support the younger siblings after her father died at 47. Her courtship with Max Zimmer began early and culminated in marriage and three sons, one of whom, Felix Markus, preceded her in death as an infant. In 1948, the young family, with a daughter in gestation, took passage on the Queen Elizabeth, mooring in New York harbor and flying on to Salt Lake City where Max transitioned through several employers, eventually taking a position as bookkeeper in LaSal, a sheep ranch in Southeastern Utah. Four years later, the young family settled in Bountiful where Elizabeth served for years as primary organist and den mother. Elizabeth persisted in her family-support and homemaker role, this time nurturing her own brood as Max perpetually worked two jobs. In time, the children made their way into an adult world, giving her and Max opportunity to return to hike the alpine trails of her beloved Switzerland and to care for her beloved young grandchildren.Elizabeth was preceded in death by Max in 2007 after more than 60 years of marriage. She is survived by her two brothers, Jules and Willy; sister Hedwig; sons Max A. (Toni), Markus Bernhard (Shelley), Marvin: daughters Marianne (Duane) and Marjorie (Jim); seven grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.The family expresses gratitude for the loving care and medical assistance provided by Emeritus Assisted Living nurses and staff: Diane, Eva, Adeleida, Kathy, Tucker, and Trish and by Curo Hospice nurses and staff Debi, Dani, Mike, Katie and Carla.Elizabeth declined a funeral and will be honored at a viewing from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon on Tuesday, 31 July, at Larkin Sunset Gardens located at 1950 East 10600 South. The viewing will be followed by a light luncheon on the grounds. Burial is scheduled for approximately 2:45 pm that afternoon at the Salt Lake Cemetery graveside on the northern side of 11th Avenue where she will be buried next to Max.