Linda Rose Zimmer

Linda Rose (Murray) Zimmer, age 71, died peacefully surrounded by her daughters on September 17, 2025, in South Bend, Indiana. Her gentle presence, thoughtfulness, and faith were a gift to many.

Linda was born June 15, 1954, to Harold Murray and Roselyn Davison in Valley Center, Kansas. She earned her bachelor's degree in social work at Concordia Senior College (Indiana) in 1976 and married Terry Zimmer in 1977. They had four daughters. Across her life, they lived in Minnesota, Florida, and Wisconsin. She settled in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, in 2014. As her illness progressed, she moved to Indiana to live with her eldest daughter Leah in 2021.

Linda's life was shaped by a steadfast and devoted faith in God, beginning as a teen when she became a Christian. She cherished her time studying Scripture and spent many hours in community praying with and for other people (for, she might add, "always keep on praying for all the Lord's people," Ephesians 6:18).

She was deeply committed to serving her church communities and was an active member in particular of All Souls Episcopal Church (Jacksonville, Florida), Bethel Baptist Church (Sheboygan, Wisconsin), and Eastbrook Church (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). She led Bible studies, sang on worship teams, and supported the church body around the world; she celebrated different cultural expressions and stories of following God ("such a great cloud of witnesses," Hebrews 12:1). She had the beautiful gift of being present with and meeting people exactly as they were. She regularly opened her home and welcomed newcomers. Later in life, she took on the care of her stepfather and mother.

Linda was known for her love of small joys–fresh flowers, pink depression glass, sweet treats and extra sugar in her coffee, the color mauve, and live music, especially her annual trip to Milwaukee's Irish Fest. She played the piano and guitar and sang hymns with a gentle touch. She loved living by Lake Michigan and noting its changing colors, walking along Menomonee River near her home, and taking pictures of any waterfall she ever visited, as they reminded her of how God's voice is described as the "roar of rushing waters" (Revelation 1:15).

Linda loved and delighted in her daughters, her grandchildren, and her many nieces and nephews. She knew how to make holidays and special occasions extra special, remembering small details that added significance. She treasured her conversations with her sisters and brother. She was a fierce advocate for those she loved.

Even throughout her illness and advancing dementia, her face lit up at the sight of her family and the sounds of her favorite praise musicians from decades ago. Her body would always relax during prayer, reminiscent of another favorite verse of hers: "He will rejoice over you with singing, he will quiet you by his love" (Zephaniah 3:17).

Linda is survived by her four children, Leah (Peter Ringenberg) Zimmer, Hannah (Marc) Harter, Abigail (Christopher Woolsey) Christian, and Deborah Zimmer; three grandchildren Madeline, Malakai, and Ashton Harter; her siblings Kimberly (John) Wittsell, Randall (Birgit) Murray, and Rick (Koma) Murray; and dozens of nieces and nephews, including her precious "Texas girls," Nikki Perrotta, Sarah Denman, Kimberly Selvera, and Liana Perrotta.

She was preceded in death by her son-in-law Kyle Christian, sister Diana Perotta and brother-in-law Charles Perotta, father Harold Murray, mother Roselyn Davison, stepfather Thomas Davison, mother-in-law Ann Zimmer, and father-in-law William Zimmer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Eastbrook Church's Missions Fund (https://eastbrook.org/giving), which Linda faithfully supported, or or to have a memorial tree planted (shop.alivingtribute.org).

A special thank you to staff at St. Paul's Memory Care and Ascent Hospice for their sweet care.

Details to come for a memorial service to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.