Eugene “Gene” Zimmer, 70, Hays, died Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at Hays Medical Center.
He was born September 8, 1943, in Hays, the son of Albert and Caroline (Kober) Zimmer. On July 29, 1967, he married Mary Ellen Pfannenstiel in Antonino, Kansas. Gene graduated from Schoenchen High School in 1961, Fort Hays State University in 1966 with a BS in Mathematics before earning his MS in Mathematics at Seton Hall University.
Gene began his teaching career at Tescott for two years, moving on to La Crosse High School for nine years, and then accepted a teaching position at Kennedy Middle School where he spent 23 years teaching 8th grade math and algebra.
During the spring of 2000, Gene accepted a position to teach Algebra II and College Algebra at Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, where he went on to teach for twelve years. He was a member of the National Association of Teachers of Mathematics (NATM) and the Kansas Association of Teachers of Mathematics (KATM).
Gene led TMP-Marian at the Fort Hays Math Relays and garnered more first place finishes than second and third combined, throughout the course of his leadership. He and Mary volunteered at many functions at TMP-Marian including helping with the ACE Auction, the Benefactor’s Dinner, and Homecoming Breakfasts. Gene was a member of the St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, the St. Nicholas Council #10044 Third Degree Knights of Columbus, and loved gardening, his work, helping others at harvest time, helping his neighbors, and was dedicated to helping his students and dedicated to his family.
Survivors include his wife Mary, of the home, two sons Kevin Zimmer and wife Ruth Ann of Hays, and Kurt Zimmer and wife Jennifer of Olathe, two daughters Karen Crosby and husband Brad of Olathe, and Kayleen Martin and husband Bryan of Fremont, NE, a brother Marvin Zimmer and wife Janice of Hays, two sisters, Marian Spittles of Hays and Wilma Payne and husband John of Topeka, KS, five granddaughters, Kassandra Zimmer, Ashlyn Zimmer, Alayna Crosby, Malia Crosby, and Amelia Martin.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gerald A. Zimmer.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Monday, February 17, 2014, at the St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00 until 8:00 pm and on Monday from 9:00 am until 9:45, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine. A parish vigil service will be at 7:00 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, both on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian High School, St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, or to family wishes, in care of the funeral home.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com