Kathy Zimmerman passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on Friday evening January 9, 2026 - three days before her 72nd birthday.

Funeral Service will be on Monday, January 19, 2026 at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Mott, beginning with rosary at 10:00am (MST) followed at 10:30am (MST) by Mass of Christian Burial with Fr. Chris Kadrmas and Fr. Dennis Schafer, officiating. Burial following at the Sunnyslope Cemetery in Mott.

Kathleen Ann Schafer was born on January 12, 1954 to Adam and Helen (Engelman) Schafer at the hospital in Elgin.  She was the oldest of 9 siblings - Sr. M. Jean Louise, O.S.F. (Nancy), David (Lorraine), Fr. Dennis, Bill (Suzann), Randy (Darla), Bernie (Colleene), Linda (Steve), and Ron (Kim).

Kathy and her siblings were raised on a farm in Grant County north of Flasher.  Growing up, Kathy (or "Kas", a fond acronym from her initials) was her Dad's shadow every chance she had and spent many hours harvesting hay before her brothers learned from her example.  Her love for the prairie was renewed each spring as she ventured out to find the first crocus at the farm.

In school she was active in choir, graduating from Flasher High School in 1972.

She worked at the local cafe in Flasher for a short time, long enough to meet her future husband Lloyd, a loan officer who frequented the cafe.

She attended Dickinson State University, where she studied early childhood education.

Kathy and Lloyd got married on November 28, 1975 and moved to Wishek.  There, they made many lifelong friends and memories, were active in the local community - even participating in square dancing.  Kathy worked at the hospital prior to the birth of their first son in 1978.  After Brian was born the opportunity arose to move closer to family and they moved to Mott while Kathy was expecting their second son, Ben.

Kathy and Lloyd put down roots in Mott.  She worked at the Metropolitan Federal Bank, and later at the St. Vincent School as a teachers aide.  Her true calling was found in the 80s when she opened up her home as a daycare provider in the community shortly before welcoming their third child - daughter, Jill.

Cardinal Kids Daycare was not just an entrepreneurial venture, but an opportunity to use her creativity to care for children for over twenty years.

She passionately came up with ideas for lunches, crafts, and learning every day.

She cared deeply for each of the kids, and enthusiastically supported their activities even after they outgrew her daycare.

While their children were growing up Kathy and Lloyd encouraged a love for the outdoors - taking many trips to the North Dakota Badlands, and particularly Black Hills of South Dakota.

Once she retired, Kathy found more time for the hobbies she always enjoyed - gardening, sewing, and crafting.  She could make almost anything via sewing machine, and hemmed countless items for her family.  Her ample garden produced many canned goods, especially the best pickles ever. She was happy to bake and cook for her family at any time.

In addition to her hobbies, she enjoyed traveling to visit her children over the years in Seattle, Austin, and Spain. She and Lloyd celebrated 50 years of marriage in November of 2025.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Adam and Helen Schafer, and her youngest brother Ron.

She is survived by her husband Lloyd, her children - Brian (Rebecca) and grandson, Adam; Ben (Farah); and Jill (Nick).