Hazel Zimmerman

Hazel Zimmerman, 94, passed away December 31, 2025, at her home, rural Alta Vista. She was born September 14, 1931 to John E. Olson and Jessie Shaw Olson in rural Morris County.

She graduated from Alta Vista High School in the spring of 1949, and married Everett Otto Zimmerman on October 2, 1949. They celebrated 60 years of marriage on the farm prior to Everett’s passing on July 20, 2010; and Hazel remained on that farm until her passing.

Besides raising three children, Hazel worked beside Everett on their diversified farming operation and operated a dairy for many years. Hazel worked beside Everett to build Ag Heritage Park, Everett’s passion to preserve agricultural history, which opened on October 2, 1999, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Hazel served on the Ag Heritage Board until her passing.

In recent years Hazel’s favorite pastimes were reading mystery novels and working on jigsaw puzzles. If you ever stopped by you were encouraged to sit a spell and put in some puzzle pieces. Hazel was a true gardener putting up many quarts of produce over the years and especially enjoying her flower beds where in one bed she had daylilies that were named after each of the grandchildren.

Besides Everett, Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Herbert Olson, and one sister, Helen Frakes; and one granddaughter Lexi Joy Zimmerman.

Hazel’s children and their families will greatly miss her presence on the family farm; including Daughter Connie and Dale Larson, Matt Easton, all of Olsburg; Son Calvin and Vicki Zimmerman, Alta Vista, and families, Megan and Jay Althouse, Sloane and Cade, Austin TX; Jamie and Ryan Ruf, Jax, Bo and Tagen, Quinter; Logan and Caroline Zimmerman, Samuel, Charlotte and Alexandria, Alta Vista; and son Kirby and Cindy Zimmerman, Alta Vista, and family Jessica and Jake Wyrill, Lexi, Foster and Henrietta, Kirwin. Hazel is also survived by one sister-in-law Lou Zimmerman. Many nieces and nephews also mourn Hazel’s passing.

The funeral service and burial are planned for Thursday, January 8, 2026, 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alta Vista. Burial will follow at the Dwight Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons Matt Easton, Logan Zimmerman, Jay Althouse, Ryan Ruf, Jake Wyrill and great-grandsons Jax and Bo Ruf.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alta Vista and may be sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS. 66846.