Kathi was born in Portland, Oregon on October 6, 1945 to Edwin and Luretta D. Geist. She grew up in NE Portland, attended Sabin Elementary School, and graduated from Grant High School.

Later, she attended the University of Puget Sound for two years before transferring and graduating from Oregon State University in 1967. She began her teaching career in Carmel, CA. She later returned home to Portland, and in 1968 met George F. Zimmer at a dance on Valentine’s Day at the Multnomah Athletic Club. After a brief courtship, they married on July 28, 1969. They enjoyed nearly 45 years together, until Mr. Zimmer died in 2014.

The Zimmers lived in Southwest Portland, Astoria (where George worked for Bumblebee Tuna), and Beaverton, Oregon. They found their permanent home in Aloha in 1976, and lived there for more than twenty years.

Kathi became a stay-at-home-mom when she had her two sons. Brian was born in 1971 and Christopher followed in 1974. She cherished her time with her two boys and was active in many school, neighborhood, social, and athletic pursuits in the Aloha community. Kathi’s ever-loving attitude towards her husband and sons shone through in everything she did. Her boys were the luckiest ever, never wanting for love, attention, and support in all aspects of their lives.

When both boys started school, she went back to work as a grade school teacher with the Tigard/Tualatin School District. She worked as a much beloved teacher for over 20 years. There, she met and fostered many lifelong friendships that still last to this day.

She loved to entertain, opening her home often to spend time with her extended family, which included her mom, her sister B’Lou, and her brother Ed and their children. Her extended family spent holidays together for many years.

Kathi retired from teaching in 2003 and began caring for her grandkids immediately. She and her husband also built a custom home on the beach in Manzanita. They kept a home in the Multnomah Village and alternated between the beach and city for several years. Loving grandparents, George and Kathi spent a great deal of time with their two boys and five grandchildren.

Kathy had many lifelong friends who enjoyed getting together in retirement. They would lunch and chat, talking endlessly about their families. In Kathi’s case, she always carried her “brag book”, a small photo album in her purse with pictures of her sons and their children. She was active in Red Hat and Tri Delta Sorority of which she was a member at OSU.

Before and during her illness, Kathi enjoyed traveling with George. They took many trips, but cruises were their favorite. They visited, Europe, China, South America, Alaska, Antarctica, and many more!

She is survived by her sister B’Lou Welch of Gladstone, Edwin C. Geist and Teri Geist of Portland, sons: Brian F. Zimmer of Southwest Portland (Aiden Mason-Zimmer and Teague Zimmer), Christopher A. Zimmer and Kate Zimmer of Milwaukie (Samuel Zimmer, Benjamin Zimmer, and Clara Zimmer), three nephews, one niece, and countless friends.

Kathi’s gentle nature, kind smile, and support of others will be missed by everyone she knew. Special thanks to the caring staff at Emerson House who provided Kathi support and attention during the past few years.

Remembrances should be made to Camp Fire and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

Memorial Service:

St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church

2036 SE Jefferson St,

Milwaukie, OR 97222

Phone: (503) 653-5880

Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Memorial Service

4:00 PM ,Saturday, February 24, 2018
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
2036 SE Jefferson Street, Milwaukie, OR 97222
Notes: Phone: (503) 653-5880