Virginia Jane Wilken Zimmerman, 93, of Lisbon, Iowa, formerly of Fort Madison died Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the Solon Retirement Village, Solon, Iowa. She had been in Hospice care for 5 months.

Virginia was born May 15, 1922 in Carrollton, MO to Robert F. and Opal L. (Hayden) Wilken. The family moved to Ft. Madison when Virginia was an infant. After graduating from FMHS, Virginia was employed at the Cattermole Memorial Library, which fit nicely with her life-long love of reading, a love that she passed to her children. Virginia worked for a time before her marriage at the Barry Hat Shop, and during WWII she worked for Sheaffer Pen Co. making bomb fuses for the war effort. She married Roy "Gene" Zimmerman of Ft. Madison on May 1, 1943 at Gainesville, TX where he was based with the 86th Black Hawk Division. After Gene returned from his overseas duties at the end of WWII, they settled in Fort Madison and raised their family. Virginia spent many years antiquing and was a member of the local DAR and Historical Society. She was especially proud of her father's part in starting the Tri-State Rodeo in Fort Madison, as well as her participation in helping at the first rodeos. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, plus she and Gene spent many years purchasing season tickets and attending Iowa Hawkeye football games. After Gene's retirement they traveled several months each year to Florida, Texas, Las Vegas, and Arizona.


She is survived by her children Cole E. (Pam) Zimmerman, of Indianola, IA and daughter Andrea J. Dusenberry of Mt. Vernon, IA, one granddaughter, and three grandsons. She is also survived by her sister, Celestine Ilmberger, of Fort Madison, Iowa, numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son-in-law Kevin Dusenberry, sister Elizabeth Richards, and nephew Kurt Zimmerman.

The body of Mrs. Zimmerman has been cremated. Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Oakland Cemetery, Fort Madison. A memorial has been established for P.A.W., Protectors of Animal Welfare, and contributions may be left at the Barr Memorial Chapel.