Dolores Rose Zimmer

Dolores Rose Kunkee was born September 29, 1931, in David City, Nebraska, the daughter of Albert and Edna (Jones) Kunkee. She attended rural school in West Olive, and graduated in 1949 from David City High School.

In September of 1949 she started teaching rural schools. She taught in rural schools for twelve years in Butler County, Nebraska. The last school she taught in was West Olive District 24, which she attended as a child.

On August 12, 1961, she married Duane Zimmer at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Bellwood, Nebraska. In September 1961, Dolores and Duane moved to a farm east of Wheaton, Minnesota. In November she started teaching in the Tintah Elementary School. She retired in 1993 after teaching thirty-two years in the Campbell-Tintah Elementary School District.

Dolores enjoyed quilting, gardening, growing flowers, teaching, visiting friends and relatives, and traveling. Dolores and Duane spent several winters in Texas, Florida, Arizona and California.

Dolores served on the West Central Reading Council for several years. She belonged to the Campbell-Tintah Education Association, Minnesota Education Association, and National Education Association. She belonged to the Ave Maria Guild and St. Ann’s Circle. She was a member of the funeral committee, helping prepare meals, and a member of the Ave Maria Quilting Ladies Group.

Dolores passed away Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.

Dolores is survived by her brother, Lyle Kunkee, of Clarkson, Nebraska, and many nieces and nephews.  

Dolores was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters Lola Mastera and Lois Hall, and brothers Wesley and Harold Kunkee.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton.  Visitation will be one hour before the service.   Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton, Minnesota.