Cecelia B. Zimmerman

1935 - 2025

A celebration of the life of Cecelia Zimmerman will be held at the Church of St. Benedict in Avon, Sept. 5, 2025. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., with the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Interment will be at a later date, when she will be placed next to her husband, Linus, in the Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley.
Cecelia passed away June 18 at Banner-University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, with grace and dignity, ready to accept God's next role for her.
Cecelia was born Nov. 2, 1935, in Collegeville Township, to Peter and Clara (Fuchs) Maile. Known as "Girlie" in her youth to her family and friends, Cecelia grew up dealing with the challenges of extreme poverty, like so many who were born during the Great Depression. It was during those years that she learned her gardening, canning and sewing skills, out of necessity rather than as hobbies. She graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School in 1952.
Cecelia married Linus Zimmerman Jan. 15, 1955, at Camp Rucker, Alabama, and they began their adventure of life. They shared over 60 years, traveling the world during his years in the Air Force and after they both retired. While raising her family, Cecelia took on assorted jobs when time permitted, including years selling products door-to-door for Fuller Brush, Watkins and Avon. When Linus retired from the Air Force, they moved back to Stearns County and built their first new home. They tackled new jobs in the area, with Cecelia taking a rewarding job at Columbia Gear that she enjoyed for the last several years of her working career. After her retirement, Cecelia and Linus became nomads for several years, living in a motor home and traveling throughout the United States. In 2006, they chose Sierra Vista, Arizona, as their home to enjoy their remaining years.
Throughout her life, Cecelia was the most generous person, willing to share even when she was forced to go without. Everyone else came first. Her unwavering Catholic faith showed in her actions every day. She was funny and witty and had the patented Maile shriek of a laugh. She sometimes spoke ahead of her thoughts, which would be embarrassing for everyone but her. She loved bright colors and her food "well done." If she had visitors, the dominos inevitably appeared, and she especially loved you if you would go with her to bingo at the local Elks lodge or the community clubhouse.
Cecelia was great with a sewing machine, accomplished at making beautiful fabric potholders, table runners and coasters. Her talents were especially obvious in her handmade afghans and embroidered dish towels. Her beautiful works of art are spread throughout the Sierra Vista area, Stearns County and beyond.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Daniel (Diane) Zimmermann, Deborah (Dennis) Chaika, David (Robin) Zimmerman and Diana (Randy) Storm; her grandchildren, Stephanie (Daniel Taney) Chaika, Nathan (Lindsay) Chaika, Christina (James) Lehner, Aerin (Jessica) Zimmermann, Thomas (Candice) Zimmermann, Alyssa (Clinton) Johnson, Ashley (Aaron) Goebel and Alaina (Kelvin Stroik) Wenning; 17 great-grandchildren; as well as her siblings, Clara Blattner, LaVern Maile, Leon Maile and Linda Borgerding.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Linus Zimmerman; her parents; and her siblings, Edwin Maile, Betty Lou Wegman and Arnie Maile.
The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Southwest Cancer Care in Sierra Vista who cared so wonderfully for her and about her.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will go to All Saints Catholic School.