Helen M. Zimmerman

1946-2026

Helen M. Zimmerman, 79, of Westboro, passed into her eternal resting place on Jan. 4, 2026 under the loving care of her family and Hope Hospice. Helen was born Sept. 3, 1946 in Phillips, to George and Dorothy (Minet) Mabie. As the sixth of eight children, she had an exciting and lively childhood that she remembered fondly. She loved to tell tales of her childhood days growing up in Kennan, including those about her time in the one-room schoolhouse at Meadow Creek School, her adventures with Kay, Maxine, and her siblings, and the fun they had swimming at “The Bend.”

On Nov. 30, 1968, Helen married Donald Zimmerman in Prentice. Shortly after their marriage, they made their home in Westboro and together had two children, Michelle and Mark. The family worked side by side as the 3rd generation to run the Zimmerman family dairy farm, which ended operations in the early 2000s. Even with the dairy cows gone, Helen still enjoyed entertaining her grandchildren with a variety of other animals including miniature donkeys, a llama, goats, potbelly pigs, chickens, and in later years beef cattle. The farm was filled with beautiful flowers, something Helen loved very much.

Helen was a hardworking farm woman, full of personality and spice, and who wasn’t afraid to voice her opinion. She loved to spend her time outside and if you popped over on a random day, you’d likely find her sitting on her porch, walking the yard to check on flowers, or out for a walk in the woods. She loved her family and some of her most joyous moments were adoring her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful grandmother, full of love, excitement, and was up for just about anything when it came to the grandkids. She loved swimming in the pond with them, sitting together to sing or tell stories on the porch swing, and helping their imaginations come to life as they explored the farm.

Helen will be greatly missed by her husband of 57 years, Don; children, Michelle (Scott) Brehm and Mark (Dana) Zimmerman, all of Westboro; grandchildren, Sadie (Dan) Jensen, Jake (Emily) Brehm, Taylor Zimmerman, Jessie Zimmerman; great-grandchildren, Chase, Brinley, Kylie, Leah, Lainey, Tevy, Adley, Grady; siblings, Mary Lou Sewell, of Bartonville, Ill., Jim (Barb) Mabie, of Kennan, Mike Mabie, of Prentice; sisters-in-law, Ruth Baker, of Hawkins, Dolores Kahl, of Mount Horeb, and Phyllis Mabie, of Montello; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Helen in death are her parents, George and Dorothy Mabie; her in-laws, George and Marie Zimmerman; brothers, Thomas Mabie, Richard Mabie, and Robert Mabie; a sister, Shirley Merrick.

At Helen’s request, there will be no formal funeral services. A Celebration of Life will be held by the family at a later date.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford is serving the family.

Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.

Paid Obituary 178794