Mary Sue Zimmerman

May 6, 1937 — January 24, 2026

Paola, KS

Mary Sue Zimmerman, age 88, passed away on January 24, 2026. She was born on May 6, 1937, in Parker, Kansas, to parents Roy Lee and Mary Loucinda Smith.

Mary was the beloved wife of David Zimmerman and a devoted mother to Carol Byard and Danny Zimmerman. She was a cherished mother-in-law to Jim Byard and a proud grandmother to Jennifer & Andy Brown, Lisa & Andy Kice, Lori Byard, and Cortly & Jenn Byard. She was also a loving great-grandmother to Christine & Anthony Jacquez; Jordan, Ally, and Carter Brown; Memphis and Cash Kice; and Noah and Abby Byard.

She was one of thirteen siblings and is survived by her sister Evelyn Clearwater, brother-in-law Bob Clearwater, and sisters-in-law Sandra Smith and Leah Smith.

Mary was known for being ornery and a little sassy, traits proudly inherited from the Smith side of the family. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures—walking nature trails, passing on her love of bowling to her grandchildren, making quilts, gardening, and canning her homegrown produce. Her quilts are prized possessions, treasured by anyone fortunate enough to have one. She dearly loved her Homestead family at the assisted living facility and enjoyed crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and word searches.

She will be remembered for her love of family, her spirited personality, her creativity, and the warmth she shared with everyone she met. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and the love she leaves behind.

Service is planned for 10 a.m. Friday, January 30, 2026, at Eddy Birchard Funeral Home. Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2026, at Leavenworth National Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions are to the Alzheimer's Association and may be sent c/o Eddy Birchard Funeral Home P.O. Box Osawatomie, KS 66064.

(Published in the Linn County Journal on January 27, 2026.)