Dianne Zimmerman Stevens

1943 - 2023

Dianne Zimmerman Stevens

Oct. 23, 1943 - June 22, 2023

MADISON - Our wonderful wife, mother, and Granny left this world surrounded by love on June 22, 2023, in Madison, WI.

She was born October 23, 1943, to Forrest E. and Thelma E. (De Mouth) Zimmerman in Portsmouth, VA.

Dianne and her husband Paul had four children. She loved being a stay-at-home Mommy and was often heard to say that, even with all the cares and grief, having a child was the most amazingly wonderful thing that could happen to a woman.

She had many hobbies and interests. As a La Leche League leader, Dianne mentored hundreds of mothers learning to breastfeed their babies. She loved being 'Cookie' to her Girl Scouts. She took them on many camping trips and taught them to sing harmony. Other interests and hobbies included piano, cello, Bridge, collecting four volumes of family history stories and creating a native wildlife sanctuary in her backyard.

Dianne always had a heart for the poor and was a volunteer in the mission outreach of her church. She helped with the resettlement of four immigrant families. She raised thousands of dollars for eviction prevention, much of it by making and selling beautiful photo greeting cards.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her well-loved step-mother, Kathryn Kleasner Zimmerman, and her aunt, Musa Irene DeMouth, who helped to raise her.

She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Paul Robert Stevens; their four children: Dawne (Jason) Pamplin of Madison and Marietta, GA, Jon Stevens of Madison, Heather Stevens of Madison, and Daniel Derrick (Sara) Stevens of Madison and Stone Lake, WI: their former wards: Davida (Ousley) Early and Shanie (Daniel) Vang, both of North St Paul, MN; ten grandchildren: Sarah (Jake) Kepler; Hannah Irene (Patrick) Hogan, Timothy (Maymunah) Pamplin, Beck Pamplin, Marilla Stevens, Evelynn, Julien and Zaria Early, and Zion, Apollo and Orion Vang; two great-grandchildren: Arthur Cyrus Kepler, and Isabella Irene Hogan. She is also survived by her brother, Jon Christian Zimmerman (Nancy Gilson).

Her Celebration of Life Service will be held at Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 26, 2023. Please wear some of the bright colors Dianne loved and come prepared to share a brief memory if you wish.

In lieu of flowers, Dianne has requested donations be made to ChildFund International.