Cheryl Zimmerman 1946-2025
Cheryl Yvonne (Slocum) Zimmerman was taken from us on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the age of 78 to go to her reward.
Cheryl was born on Sept. 19, 1946, in Holton to Neal and Jaunita (Miller) Slocum.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Duane; and two children, Larry (Angel) and Tammi, Topeka. Cheryl was blessed with five grandchildren: Anna (William), Kegan, Ieva (Isaac), Chieko (Jack), and Alex; two great-granddaughters, Jacqueline and Caroline; and her sister, LaWanna Krestine. Cheryl was preceded in death by both parents and three brothers, Frederick and Arthur as infants and Lloyd.
Cheryl’s sister introduced her to Duane Zimmerman, and they married on July 18, 1964. Cheryl and Duane began their marriage in central Topeka where they fed all the neighborhood kids homemade ice cream. When their home was damaged by the 1966 tornado, they moved to the Highland Park area where they raised their two children.
There were few crafts that Cheryl did not try. She was an avid oil painter favoring scenes from her family history and the interests of those to whom she would give her paintings. Cheryl also loved to quilt and made at least one for every family member while donating others to charitable organizations. Most recently, she had discovered diamond art with Duane and the two would sit at their living room workstation finishing large paintings together.
Holidays with Cheryl were magical times. She made custom cakes to order for her children and grandchildren, filled the living room under the Christmas tree with gifts and spent hours on one-on-one shopping trips. No holiday was too small for notice from all-green meals on St. Patrick’s Day to May Day baskets and carefully crafted cards for personal events.
Cheryl obtained her bachelor of science degree in social work from Washburn University in 1985 and her master’s in social work from The University of Kansas in 1988. Cheryl had a 15-year career as a social worker at Aldersgate Village.
Services will be held at the Chapel Oaks Chapel in Topeka on Thursday, May 8 with viewing at 10 a.m. and funeral at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Miles Fund at the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center.
(PAID OBITUARY)
