1938 ~ 2016
It is with very heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of our most loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Ellie (Alida) Zimmerman on Wednesday June 22, 2016 at the age of 77 years.
Mom leaves to mourn her children, Barb (Paul), Donald (Erika), Brian (Donna), Sharon (Bruce); her grandchildren, Lynn (Shane), Laurie (Jeff), Jacki (Jamie), Andrew, Juli; Kevin, Jordan (Julie), Michael (Tesa); Logan (Amanda), Travis, Jenna ; Adam; Alida, Troy; her great-grandchildren Kaden and Emily; Cole, Anna and William ; Stella and Madelyn; Teagan and Dash.
Mom also leaves to mourn her siblings; Gysje, Aart, Dikkie, Jannie, Tina, Gerrie, John, Walter, and brothers and sisters-in-law and many friends.
Mom was predeceased by dad Harvey, her mother and father, brother Dirk, sisters Joopie and Bertha, niece Jannae.
Mom was born on August 4, 1938 in Driebergen, the Netherlands to Dirk and Dirkje van nieuw Amerongen. Mom was #6 of 12 children; in 1952, mom and her parents and 9 of her siblings immigrated to Canada, which brought them to Whitemouth; in 1955 mom went to West Hawk Lake for work at the Trans Canada Restaurant, which is where she met dad. They were married in August of 1956, they spent 49 years together before dad’s passing in 2005.
Mom had a passion for cooking, she was not afraid of work, and she loved people interactions; that is what brought mom and dad to own the Nite Hawk Cafe in 1970. Mom also ran the cafeteria at Falcon Ski Hill for 10 winters.
Mom loved to watch curling, she travelled across the country to take in a Scotties Tournament.
In earlier years mom loved to embroider, she knit many sweaters, and crocheted hundreds of doilies, her most recent passion was crocheting baby blankets for every new baby in the family and for friends in the area.
Mom’s greatest time of year was Christmas, she loved to decorate, cook and visit all.
Mom had many passions, but her true passion in life was for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many hours and days were spent at numerous family gatherings.
A celebration of Mom’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Whiteshell Community Club in Falcon Lake. We will celebrate her life with a sharing of stories.
Donations may be made in mom’s memory to the Southeast Whiteshell Fire Department.
We would like to thank the staff at St. Anne Hospital for the care they took of mom the short time there.
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Sylvia Mroz
Sorry to hear of Ellie,s passing, we were bowling friends when she lived in Beausejour, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Wayne and Jo-Anne Zimmerman
We wanted to express our condolences to you. I have fond memories of your mom and Uncle Harvey at Christmas dinners at Lakeside Cabins and also at the Café when I was a teenager. Your mom always had a huge smile and was very welcoming. Our sympathy goes out to you.
Bill and Diane Claydon
Our condolences to Ellie Zimmerman’s family.
We are sorry for your loss . Our very first visit to Nite Hawk was very much welcomed by Ellie. She catered to us like we were family.It has left a lasting memory who she was,pleasant, cheerful, loving and caring.
She will be missed, keep her memories alive.
Bill & Diane Claydon (Star Lake)
Sue McTavish
From the McTavish family (formerly of Star Lake: Gordon, Rob, Sue and Brannagh, Sandi and Brett:
We are truly saddened to hear that Ellie has passed away. Perhaps the current flooding surrounding the restaurant and area are tears from all of the people who knew Ellie and her family.
Here’s to your denvers
Here’s to your fries
Here’s to your chicken fingers
Here’s to your smile
Here’s to Ellie!
Thank you for sharing in our lake life.