Obituary of Mearl Zimmerman

Mearl Roland Zimmerman of Camrose, formerly of Kelsey, passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the age of 91 years. Mearl Roland was born to Arthur and Carrie Zimmerman, of Kelsey, Alberta, on December 11, 1924. Younger brother of Clarence, Edna, Cleda, Paul, Nettie, and Gerald; and older of Earl (by a few minutes), and Glenna, he was raised in the understanding of the importance of family to survive and thrive. Farming, making and eating ice cream, flying, attending dances, acting in community theatre, going to movies, and road trips are memories found again and again in his stories and journals. His first solo flight was in February of 1950, and he flew for many years. He took great joy in the open skies and his ability to see so far from so high, and delighted flying over neighbour's farms and buzzing their homes. Road trips to Air Shows were his favourite kind of holiday; road trips to the Home Place his favourite afternoon trips in his latter years, especially when his granddaughter would stop on the way to get out to taste test the latest crops for him. Mearl married Ellen Skoglund of Kingman, Alberta in 1964 and settled into family life, welcoming Barry, Cindy, Norma, and Anita over the years. A common rural family life filled with joys and tribulations; word puzzles, dogs & cats, music lessons, school and sporting events, family get-togethers, and farming; through it all the art of witty come-backs and spontaneous conversation was taught, plus the importance of every person's story. Grand things started in 1984: Amber, Colin, Kari, Logan, Nolan, Thomas, Emily, Grace, Berge, Ethan, Caleb, Evan, Tobias, Ellenora, Julius; and then Great arrivals of Soren, Lars, Katie, Erik, Lauren, Lila, Violet, Destiny, Hannah, Jasper, George, and with more on the way, Mearl's stories, values, and love of family will live on; a wonderful legacy. Mearl's last hours were spent surrounded by family. "Make your own everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humour" Paul Harvey; Letter from God. Left to cherish his memory are his children Barry (Sandy) Zimmerman of St. Albert, Cindy (Lothar) Malmberg of Rosebud, Norma Hendrickson of Camrose, and Anita (Chris) Sherbanuk of Camrose; friend and mother of their children Ellen Zimmerman; fifteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; brothers Gerald Zimmerman of Camrose, and Earl Zimmerman of Camrose; sisters Edna Nelson of Camrose, Nettie Gerber of Camrose, and Glenna Adams of Duncan. Mearl was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Carrie; brothers Paul Zimmerman, and Clarence Grove; and sister Cleda Zimmerman. A Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, June 2, 2016 from the Camrose Church of God with Rev. Brian Krushel officiating. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Canadian Red Cross.