Name: Covell Funeral Home
Address: Traverse City, MI

Aunt Van and the farm was the center of the Krietz family for four decades.  Most of the large family gatherings occured there.  A marvelous and caring woman.  I will miss her greatly.

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Van.  I am sooooo sorry I am not in TC @ this time--we will return soon.  Spending some warm time in Sarasota. She was fun and made you feel like you were the only person who was important at the time you visited--of course, she had that knack to make us all feel very special!! I met Van in the early 60's @ Fox's--she worked with my very special friend Mary Core.  We had soo much fun!!!! I remember the fun times we had--on her Birthday @ the Park Place and her 100th BD @ St Francis!  We had many visits over the years--loved the sparkle in her eyes and the darling earrings she always wore!!! My mother and dad went to school with Van & Irv--two great people.  Van's dad taught my mother @ Norris School--same place our girls attended! 
she way appreciated with a huge smile our fun encounters--it made one feel sooo good!  Thanx 4 sharing your special lady!  Luv, Loretta Ludka XOXOXO

I am sorry for the loss of your grandmother. What an elegant (classy) lady she was. I remember stopping into Fox’s Jewelry store in downtown TC, sometimes to shop and most  times just to say HI to Van. She was a favorite neighbor to my family (grandparents, parents, brothers, sister and I) for many years on Zimmerman Rd.

Deb & Mike, So sorry to hear about your Grandma, I know you were very close.  All those close memory's will keep her dear and near to you.

I am sorry I am going to miss Vans, funeral but will keep Van and the family in my prayers as I am on vacation in Arizona.

Van Zimmerman was a unique, fun, faith filled, and loving woman who brought "sparkle" to the lives of those she met.
Evangeline Kreitz was so proud to be a member of the St. Francis Class of 1927. Her "school pals" including my parents, Frank and Lillian Antony Ludka, shared enduring friendships all their lives. 
Van was thankful for her Catholic education and always helped support school activities throughout the years. 
The 100th Birthday party the students gave her in November 2008 was awesome! Van & her only other living classmate, Lillian, had the privilege of sharing the Mass together that day one last time. I believe all her classmates were waiting at heaven's gate with the Lord to say, "Welcome, Evangeline, for a life well lived."

We are sorry for the loss of your grandma. What a wonderful woman with such a sweet personality! May you treasure those wonderful memories and good times with her.

Grandma Van was a wonderful person.  I always looked forward to her and Grandpa Irv's visits to Las Vegas.  Late night games of "tunk" and her "fast kisses" were always a favorite.

Grandma Van had a great sense of humor, even when the joke was on her.  While growing up, my brothers and sisters and I spent summers visiting our Grandma Van and Grandpa Irv at their Traverse City, MI farm.  Whenever Grandma Van had an evening dinner party, she'd feed us early and then send all of us upstairs to bed!  We'd get her back by dropping feathers, plucked out of her down pillows, down onto her dinner guests through the ceiling heat grates.  The object of this was to see how many feathers we could drop onto her guest's heads without anyone (but Grandma Van) noticing it happening.  When she finally noticed Grandpa Irv sitting next to her, looking like he just came in from a feather snow storm, she quickly excused herself from the table and dashed upstairs.  We heard her coming by the drumming of her little high-heeled shoes on the stairs, so we ran for bed.  By the time that she reached our bedroom, we were all safely tucked in (simulating snoring noises).  She took one look and then said "You darn kids better stop that or I'll send up your Grampa Irv!..."  

Grandpa Irv was probably the softest touch grandparent that ever lived and with his heart condition probably hadn't been up those stairs in years, so we were not too concerned.  Years later Grandma Van told us that her guests were highly amused by her creative grandchildren's antics and enjoyed the show.  

Fast kisses forever and love from your #1 Grandson!

We did not live near Grandma Van, but she always made our visits to the farm so special.  One one such visit in 1973, Grandma Van showed me how to make those little crustless luncheon sandwiches, using ingredients she had canned and kept in the basement.  I always held my breath when she decended those treacherous ladder-like basement stairs, usually with her hands full.  She had the balance and nine lives of a cat.  Grandma Van had a gift of making each and every one of us feel special and loved.  I'll always cherish our times together.

Aunt Van and Uncle Irv's home was like a second home to me. I would ride my pony, Dollar, through the woods to their farm and spend many pleasant hours playing with my cousins Dick and Alvin. I miss them all, but have many, many happy memories. Our families were very close. She will be missed, but not forgotten. She was my last living Aunt. Marlene Zimmerman, Henderson

The world has lost an elegant lady.  When I visited her on the 101st birthday I felt she would before long, be joining "her boys", as she called them.  To lose a husband and both sons was tremendous.  She was a dear, dear soul.



We were so very, very fortunate to have had the honor to call you our Friend. You always looked out for us, and you were always so kind and caring. You were such an inspiration with your wonderful sense of fashion, and you always looked so beautiful.We were trully blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of your life's journey. You will for sure, be trully missed dear friend, But never,ever, forgotten.

Condolences to the family She was a great friend to us   Sen. George/Clara(Kratochvil) McManus Jr

Grandma and I always had the best sleepovers; she would let me eat as much ice cream as I wanted and we would make the best dominos courses in her living room. She was always making silly jokes, and I loved walking upstairs at family Christmas to see my mom had planted my twenty pound cat on her lap in the living room; she loved every second of it. Excellent  adventures and memories were made with Grandma and the rest of our family in the farmhouse and barns on Zimmerman Rd. "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." I love you Grandma, and thank you.

you never went away hungry from aunt vans house. the summer i spent on the farm was one of many wonderful memories. aunt van packed my lunc when i was pickin cherries and what a lunc it was!!! meatloaf sandwich,pie,and plenty to fill a growing boy! she will be missed.

Aunt Van will missed by many.  I fondly remember our vacations up north and going to Aunt Van and Uncle Irvs for dinner.  She always had too much food and it was always delicious.  I used to love to wander around the barn and imagine great adventures.

You will live forever in my memories and heart Grandma. Thank you for everything and I love you.

OBITUARY

Evangeline Marie Zimmerman

November 17, 1908 – February 12, 2010

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