Sister Dorothy Elizabeth Zimmer

Sister Dorothy Elizabeth Zimmer, age 98, a Sister of Providence for 73 years, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, at St. Joseph Residence in Seattle, Wash.

She was born June 7, 1918, to Peter and Elizabeth (Niehoff) Zimmer in Glentana, Mont., the second oldest of six children. She entered the Sisters of Providence in February 1943 at Mount St. Vincent in Seattle and in August 1943, she became a novice. In February 1945, she professed first vows and received the name Sister Elizabeth of Providence, and in February 1948, she professed final vows.

She graduated from Opheim High School in Opheim in 1936, then began a three-year program at Columbus Hospital School of Nursing in Great Falls and graduated in 1939. She worked three years as a nurse, then entered the novitiate at Mount St. Vincent in Seattle. In 1948, she received her registered nurse certification from the State of Idaho.

From 1945-78, Sr. Dorothy's ministry was that of a registered nurse in several health care institutions in the province: Washington: Spokane – Sacred Heart Medical Center; Idaho: Wallace – Providence Hospital; and Montana: St. Ignatius – Holy Family Hospital; Great Falls – Columbus Hospital; Missoula – St. Patrick Hospital; and in the parish of St. Raphael in Glasgow, as well as Valley View Nursing Home. In June 1996, she retired to Mount St. Joseph in Spokane where she volunteered in the Archives office.

Some of her hobbies were handicrafts, swimming, embroidery and crocheting. In March 2012, she moved to St. Joseph's residence in Seattle, where she enjoyed and cherished spending time with her sisters in the community.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Louise Zimmer Lucas, Paul Zimmer, Raymond Zimmer, Richard Zimmer and Leonie (Zimmer) Pehan.

Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews.

Vigil services were held Monday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. and Funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m., both at Mount St. Joseph, 12 West Ninth Avenue, Spokane, Wash. Burial followed at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane, after Mass and reception. Holy Cross Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016; Renton, WA 98057-9016.

To view her obituary and picture and to sign her memory book, please visit the website for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at http://www.bonneywatson.com.