Jacob Zimmerman

Dr. Jacob Zimmerman, 93, of Lenexa, Kansas, died on April 18, 2012. He was born on August 2, 1918, in Lehr, North Dakota. He was the ninth child of the late Balthazar and Barbara Zimmerman. He married his life partner and confidant, Margaret Zimmerman, on August 19, 1943.
Dr. Zimmerman graduated from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, in 1944 and received a Doctorate of Ministry degree from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri in 1978. After achieving a Bachelor's degree in Education, he taught high school prior to entering seminary. In his many years of church service, Dr. Zimmerman served as pastor of First Baptist Churches in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin; Lyons, Kansas; and Pittsburg, Kansas. For 20 years, he served as the East Central Area Minister of the Kansas Baptist Convention. He also was the Director of Field Education and Career Services for Central Baptist Theological Seminary. During his career, he served in many positions including president of the Kansas Baptist Convention in 1991. After retirement, Dr. Zimmerman was an interim coordinator for the American Baptist Native American Churches in Oklahoma, an interim pastor in the Kansas City area, and on the adjunct faculty of Central Baptist Theological Seminary. In his many years of pastoring, he offered wise counsel, heart-felt compassion, and fervent prayers. In fact, when he was "adopted" into the Native American Kiowa tribe, he was given an Indian name that means "He who brings peace through prayer." Music was also a vital part of him. He enjoyed singing and playing the piano, organ, and accordion.
Jacob is survived by his three children: Frances Anderson and her husband James, Springfield, Missouri; Douglas Zimmerman and his wife Linna, Kansas City, Missouri; and Barbara Zimmerman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; along with two grandchildren, Jeff Anderson and Jill Anderson-McDaniel, and her husband Michael, Springfield, Missouri. He is also survived by his cherished sister, Ida Koepplin, Mesa, Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Murrow Indian Children's Home, 2540 Murrow Cir, Muskogee, OK 74403.