Jeanette Zimmerman

YANKTON, S.D. — Jeanette Zimmerman, 85, Yankton, S.D., died Jan. 10, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society, Tyndall, S.D. Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 17 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, S.D., with Rev. Darin Schmidt officiating. Burial was in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Tabor. Visitation, with a vigil service and rosary, was Jan. 16 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, and continued one hour prior to the funeral at the church Saturday.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Yankton.

Pallbearers were Jacob Kaiser, Riley Zimmerman, Nathan Zimmerman, Cole Zimmerman, Caleb Zimmerman, Mitchel Zimmerman, Henry Zimmerman, and Ryan Zimmerman.

Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jeanette was born Nov. 10, 1940, in Bow Valley, to Alphonse and Monica (Wubben) Kleinschmit. She grew up on a farm northwest of Bow Valley and attended country school. Jeanette attended two years of high school in Fordyce and then graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Hartington in 1958. She worked as a caregiver for families who recently had a newborn baby and also worked at Dale Electronics in Yankton. In 1961, Jeanette met Henry Zimmerman at a wedding dance and they were later married on April 22, 1963, in Bow Valley. After their marriage, they moved to a farm west of Yankton. Jeanette helped Henry on the farm and raised seven children. She took care of a large garden and did lots of canning.

Jeanette enjoyed baking and made many kolaches for Tabor Czech Days. No one ever left the Zimmerman farm hungry. She was active in the St. Wenceslaus Altar Society, Sierra Club, and took communion to those in the nursing home. Jeanette also loved sewing and crocheting and made many baby blankets and quilts for her family. She treasured the time spent with her family and always enjoyed the big family gatherings.

Jeanette is survived by six sons: Harold (Rhonda) Zimmerman, St. Helena; Duane (Nancy) Zimmerman, Yankton, S.D.; Steve (Debbie) Zimmerman, Yankton, S.D.; Mark (Kristi) Zimmerman, Yankton, S.D.; Gary (Grace) Zimmerman, Tabor, S.D.; and Philip (Ann) Zimmerman, Norfolk; son-in-law, Kelly Kaiser, Fordyce; 17 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five siblings: Pete (Betty) Kleinschmit, Hartington; Leon (Mary) Kleinschmit, Omaha; Ione (David) Cap, Yankton, S.D.; Melvin (Zenny) Kleinschmit, Las Vegas, Nev.; and John (Marcene) Kleinschmit, Tea, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Henry, Oct. 3, 2022; daughter, Kayleen Kaiser; and daughter-in-law, Sheila Zimmerman.