Emma Geraldine "Gerry" Zimmermann

Emma Geraldine “Gerry” Zimmermann, 81, of Austin, TX, formerly of Port Arthur and Kirbyville, TX, died on Thursday, January 11, 2018 in Austin. She was born on June 25, 1936 in Port Arthur to Henry and Emma Wehmeyer. Gerry reaffirmed her baptismal faith by rite of confirmation at Trinity Lutheran Church on April 2, 1950. She married James “Jim” Zimmermann on September 17, 1955 at Trinity. In their marriage, they were blessed with 2 sons, Jimmy Jr. and Kevin.

She attended schools in Port Arthur including Trinity Lutheran School and was a member of the Junior Choir where she developed her love for music and her beautiful soprano voice. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1954. While in high school, Gerry was a member of the Glee Club and the school choir. She then studied business principals at Port Arthur College earning a Comptometer certificate.

After college, Gerry began her business career working at the Texas Company refinery (now Texaco) in Port Arthur. After marriage, she then worked at the Fred Miller Department store, continuing her career at CIT Financial Services Company and then she joined the Avon Company faithfully serving as a Sales Representative and District Assistant Manager for over 50 years, even up until her passing.

She especially loved singing to the Glory of God as an expression of her faith and ministry as a member of church choirs at both Trinity and Redeemer Lutheran Church here in Austin. Her love of fellowship with other choir members through practicing and performing at church were the highlight of her week! Gerry was also very active in the church youth group growing up and into her adulthood as she and her husband, Jim, served as youth group counselors for many years at Trinity. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League serving in various elected positions. She also served as an elected member of the Board of Stewards at Trinity. Gerry and Jim led numerous people to Christ through their active leadership in the Couples Club and Game Night at both Trinity and Redeemer.

She was preceded in death by her son Kevin, parents, Henry & Emma Wehmeyer, brother, Eugene Wehmeyer, sisters Dora Landry and Alma Rottmann. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Jim and their son Jimmy Jr. both of Austin, her foster daughter Laurie and husband Edward Miller of Orange, TX, Laurie’s daughter’s Megan and Bree Fontenot and Gerry’s “adoptive” family David Hassell, his wife Mamta Jayavardhan and their son Lucas of Cedar Park, TX.

Gerry is also survived by her brothers, Henry Wehmeyer of Alamogordo, NM, Jim Wehmeyer of Bryan, TX, sisters, Gladys Rottmann of Tomball, TX, Ruth Potts of Crystal Beach, TX and Ethel Sullivan of Springfield, VA and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Harold and Melrose Zimmermann of Austin, sister-in-law Carra Zimmermann of Burton, TX and many loving, cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many friends. Gerry was very honored and proud to have served as a godparent to many children of relatives and friends, loved each and every one of them very much and maintained relationships with many of them into their adult lives.

Donations in Gerry’s memory may be made to the Music Ministry Fund or the Building Fund at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin, TX or to Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Arthur, TX.