Pauline C. Haarmann Zimmerman (87) of Watson

Pauline C. Haarmann Zimmerman, 87, of Watson died Thursday, December 10, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

A Mass of Christian Burial for family and close friends will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham, IL. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham. Arrangements are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anthony Schools or the Denise Marie Hahn Memorial Scholarship at St. John’s College of Nursing in Springfield, IL. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Pauline was born on August 4, 1933, in Fayette County, IL, the daughter of Jesse J. and Delia P. (Koeberlein) Heischmidt. She attended St. Elmo Schools and graduated from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield, IL. She married Harold Haarmann on September 15, 1956, and to this union seven children were born: Bernard, Tom, Brenda, Denise, Gloria, Elaine, and Sharon. Harold preceded her in death on May 17, 1992. She later married Richard Zimmerman on August 13, 1999, and gained five more children like her own.

Pauline was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Council of Catholic Women, and Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She recorded minutes for the school board and Pastoral and Finance Councils for the church for many years, and was also a member of the Bereavement Committee.

Pauline worked as a registered nurse at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital for over 40 years, 30 of these years being head nurse of ICU, where she was instrumental in the development of the ICU department. Over her nursing career, Pauline saw all aspects of life, from obstetrics and pediatrics to ICU and end-of life. She also was a former member of the hospital’s advisory board.

For many years, Pauline was a 4-H leader. She enjoyed needlework, crocheting, and sewing for her family. Above all, family was her greatest joy. She loved a good time, and was always last to leave a family wedding, even in her later years. Pauline was a humble woman with a kind, gentle soul who put family and others before herself.

Pauline is survived by her husband, Richard Zimmerman of Watson; children, Bernard (Deb) Haarmann, Tom (Janet) Haarmann, Brenda (Steve) Margold, Gloria (David) Brummer, Elaine (Tom) Dust, and Sharon (Pat) Wente; son-in-law, Larry (Dolores) Hahn; children, Patricia Zimmerman, Phillip (Karen) Zimmerman, Richard J. Zimmerman, William (Janice) Zimmerman, Ron (Stephen) Zimmerman; 20 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren with another one on the way; 4 Zimmerman grandchildren; and siblings, Jesse A. (Patricia) Heischmidt, Mark (Jennieann) Heischmidt, Paul (Janet) Heischmidt, Elizabeth (Lester) Stoner, and Loretta Heischmidt.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; daughter, Denise Hahn; sister and brotherin-law, Margaret (Carl) Ransden; nephew, Greg Stoner; niece, Suzanne Stoner; and a Zimmerman greatgranddaugther, Evelyn Lack.