Meryl Marietta (Rathbun) Zimmerman, 100 years of age, passed away at the Wilber Care Center Monday night, May 12, 2025.
Meryl was the daughter of Henry L. and Ada J. (Meier) Rathbun and was born on a farm east of DeWitt on Feb. 6, 1925, along with her twin sister, Beryl. She was baptized and joined the DeWitt Methodist Episcopal Church on April 24, 1940. Meryl graduated from DeWitt High School in 1942 and from Lincoln School of Commerce in 1943. She had been employed by the Personnel Office Lincoln City Hall and the State Health Department and was a Red Cross Nurses Aid Volunteer in Lincoln during World War II.
Meryl and Russell Zimmerman were married Aug. 24, 1947, in DeWitt. This union was blessed with two children, son, Dennis Russell, and daughter, Linda Marie. They spent their married life of 71 years on the family farm east of DeWitt. This farm has been in the Rathbun family for 150 years, having been purchased by her great-grandfather, Job B. Rathbun in 1876.
Meryl had become a member of the DeWitt United Methodist Church in 1981 upon the closing of the Zion United Methodist church. She was a Sunday school teacher, member and past president and held other various offices of the UMW and had served as district secretary of the Southeast District of the UMW. She had also served as chairman of the DeWitt Red Cross Bloodmobile for 19 years. Meryl had been a member of the Hawes-Wood American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the Southeast, Nebraska, and Saline County genealogy societies.
Meryl enjoyed the outdoors, helping with farm work, gardening, her flowers and bird watching. But she especially enjoyed spending time with her family.
Survivors include her children, Dennis (Mary) Zimmerman of Omaha, and Linda (Charles) Burns of DeWitt; five grandchildren, Ryan (Ria) Zimmerman, Scott (fiancé Kat O’Connor) Zimmerman, Matthew (Stephanie) Burns, Joshua (Allison) Burns, and Rachel (John) Kleppe; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Ada (Meier) Rathbun; husband, Russell (2018); and sisters, Vera (Johnnie) Davis and her twin, Beryl (Ervin) Beerenstrauch.
The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at the DeWitt United Methodist Church and will be livestreamed at www.ghchapel.com. Burial will be at the Oak Grove Cemetery near DeWitt. The body will lie in state Friday, May 16, from 1 – 8 p.m. at the church with the family greeting friends from 6 – 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the family’s choice for future designation with the funeral home in charge.
In Meryl’s memory, we invite you to leave your cherished memories and upload your favorite photos of her to the memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. You may also view her video tribute and funeral on her memory page. As we celebrate Meryl's life, let her humble and courageous spirit continue to inspire and guide us.
Arrangements by Venrick-Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in DeWitt.
