Marie L Zimmerman Edwards McDonald was born on December 2, 1932 to Rudolph Zimmerman and Irma Larsen Zimmerman in a farm house on the upper Nehalem River. When she was born, they did not expect her to live so her birth certificate listed her only as Baby Girl Zimmerman. This proved to be a big problem when she applied for her first passport. Thankfully her father was still alive and he was able to testify that she was indeed Baby Girl Zimmerman.
Marie was the first of the six Zimmerman children and she became the care giver and housekeeper so that her mother could work on the family farm.
Marie met the love of her life Delmar Edwards at a dance at the grange hall shortly after his return from WWII. They were married on June 10, 1951. She and Delmar bought a house on east seventh street in Tillamook. In 1953 they welcomed their first child Vicki and in 1956 they welcomed a son, Delmar Jr. (Butch). Together as a family they liked to vacation in Spokane or the Napa Valley where they had family.
The house was always open to anyone needing a place to stay and they had many over the years. Including an exchange student from Holland in 1971-1973. Peter VonDer Lught who became family and is still in contact.
Delmar passed away in 1976 leaving her a widow at 43. They had just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. She had worked at several jobs over the years but, had quit to be the caregiver for Delmar before he passed. She met John McDonald at Dads ‘ol Fashion Bakery where she was working. They then became snowbirds in AZ every year. They were married for 10 years before he passed away. She then met Brownlee Bush and they were companions for 30 years. The trips that she and Brownlee made were some of her best times. They traveled to Europe several times, cruised the Panama Canal and Alaska.
They attended WWII conventions all over the USA.
Marie’s greatest love was her family. She loved to cook huge meals then top them off with her famous pies and Swiss cookies.
Marie was a member of St. Albans Episcopal Church.
She is survived by her children, Vicki (Brad) Reiff of Tillamook, OR., Butch (Barb) Edwards of Hillsboro, OR; Grandchildren, Geoff Reiff of Pendleton, OR., Jim (Dawn) Reiff of Tillamook, OR., Bill (Jessica) Edwards of Gales Creek, OR., Madeline Edwards and Jake Kurns of McMinnville, OR., and the Bush Family; Great grandchildren, Joseph, Devin, Kenna, Walker, Charlotte, Graham and Easton; Great great grandchildren, Paisley and Waylon; Sister, Marge Zimmerman Meyer of Shingle Springs, CA; Brothers, Edward Zimmerman of Bay City, OR., and Eddie Zimmerman of Tillamook, OR; Sisters in law, Carmen Edwards and Anne Edwards; Many nieces and nephews who were thought of as her children.
Marie is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Kathrine and Marina and one grandson Daniel Edwards.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tillamook Volunteer Fire District.
Memorial services will be held at a later date with inurnment at Sunset Heights Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Big Thank You to Five Rivers Assisted Living where Marie spent the past 5 years and to Jody Zimmerman Hamburger for all the extra attention, visits and goodies she provided.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 3rd at the Tillamook Swiss Hall at 1:00 PM.
