Linda Zimmerman
Linda Zimmerman passed away September 28th, 2022 in Porterville, California to join the Lord and the man she lovingly devoted her life to for 56 years, her husband Bob.
Linda was born in Porterville, on September 16th, 1940. She was the first child of three born to Marion and Joanne Hughes of Ducor. She grew up happily on the Braly family ranch, where she was surrounded with the love of many family and a live-in household helper, Margaret Valdez, who affectionately helped raise the kids as if they were her very own little pale faces,
Linda went to Ducor Union Elementary Grammar School as did her mother, many good friends, and her future husband, Bob. She was active in Canterbelles, and 4-H where she learned to sew. At 14 she went to work for Celine Parsons in her tiny local restaurant where she learned to make her delicious pies.
She attended Porterville High School and did well in athletics. Linda later became very active with her Class of 58 class reunions.
She graduated from Porterville College, where she was elected Student Body President, then went on to obtain her degree in education from Fresno State University and remained a faithful Bulldog fan for life.
At 20 years old she began teaching at Earlimart with her good friends Norma Kaiser and Millie Hunsaker.
Linda finally gave in to the relentless pursuit of the only man who could never be rivalled for her unending love and devotion and in 1961 was married to Bob Zimmerman who was from another Ducor ranching family.
While Bob farmed and was active in the Fire Department and Tulare County Government, Linda taught at Ducor School. Together they did a great job raising their three children, Jim, Ann and Donnie. They always guided them well, loved them much, and supported them in all their endeavors.
When times were tough, Linda got another job to keep the family going. She would take on extra work to get the kids things they needed for sports, or little extras here and there. She loved her children and husband endlessly and took night classes for many years to do all she could for them, always planning ahead for the familys future.
Linda loved her many years teaching at Ducor School and subbing at other schools. She made her dearest friends: Cindy Menne, Ginny Henn, Jan Kaye and Mary Garay there. She had so much fun playing the piano and teaching her classes to sing many Christmas songs, always incorporating a few in Latin and Spanish for their wonderful Christmas programs. She also had many fond memories of taking part in talent shows with fellow teachers Tom Byars, Pam Bradley and Debbie Yonemitsu, bringing the house down, always brought her to laughter.
Linda found her greatest joy in giving. She gave lovingly through her joy of baking for others, her making of seasonal jellies, and her endless hours spent hand stitching her very beautiful tea towels. She was a God-fearing, dedicated Christian who prayed for every person she knew that had a need, a worry, or an illness.
She is preceded in death by her parents Marion and Joanne Hughes, her husband Bob, her brother-in-law Herb Zimmerman and his wife Barbara, her brotherin-law Hershel Ross, nephews Kim and Butch Zimmerman, and niece Lolita (Zimmerman) Lowe.
She is survived by her three children, Jim, Ann and Donnie Zimmerman, her sister Cynda (Hughes) Ross, brother Henry Hughes and his wife Patricia, and many nieces and nephews.
Linda will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. To us, she was a one in a million, and we feel extremely thankful and endlessly blessed to have been so lucky to have her in our world. She definitely made it a better place to be.
Services will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday October 5th at Meyers Reception Hall across from the Meyers Chapel with an internment at Hillcrest Memorial Park and a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity.