Salamae Zimmerer

Salamae Adnelle Matousek was born in St. Paul, NE on October 2, 1929, on a farm that had been homesteaded by her paternal grandparents starting in 1894. She attended rural District 65 (Bunker Hill) grade school, later St Paul High School and lastly St Mary's College in Omaha. She was employed by Mutual Benefit Insurance, four physicians (one was Dr. John McGahan who later was a prominent surgeon in Billings, MT) and Union Pacific Railroad Headquarters all in Omaha, NE. After her marriage to Frank on August 16, 1949, his transfer with Kinney Shoe Co took them to Salina, MS, Topeka, KS, Minneapolis, Dubuque, IA and finally to Billings, MT. She was employed by Kraft Foods Co and lastly by the Billings School Dist as a Chapter 1 Assistant at McKinley, Riverside and Miles Ave. Schools until her retirement in 2002. From 1968 to 1975 the Zimmerer's operated two restaurants in Billings proper, “Treasure State Luncheonette downtown Billings and “der Schwartzwald” in the Broadwater Shopping Center where they offered German food and German beer. In 1975 they owned and operated “der Schwartzwald” Exit 469 on I-90 and offering dining and dancing with the 1940's theme. Mae sang all the old favorites from the 40's and 50's with the band. This establishment later became der Schwartzwald Dinner Theatre “The Black Forest” with 64 productions presented from 1980 to 1988. Mae served on church circles at Holy Rosary and St Pius, sang in several church choirs, was active in CFM (Christian Family Movement) and was a Lector at Mary Queen of Peace Church and St. Vincent's Chapel. After retirement, Mae volunteered at St. Vincent's Library, St Vincent DePaul and served as a secretary at the South Park Senior Citizen Center. She was a fantastic seamstress sewing fancy dresses and wrestling singlets that no one will forget. She grew the most beautiful flower gardens and there was no task she could not accomplish. She was always her children and grandchildren biggest supporter. She is survived by her eight children: Vicki Scott, Frank Jr., Steve (Brenda) all of Billings, Sally (Steve) Rosenthal of Vail, Co, Teresa O'Neal of Missoula, Mary (Ted) Derheim of Lewistown, Matt (Mary) of Chandler, AZ and Mark (Sue) of Boise, ID, as well as her brother Norbert Matousek of Grand Island, NE his children and their families. Also surviving are 24 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister-in-law Lorraine Matousek, and son-in-law Manny O'Neal. Mom passed peacefully on February 28, 2021, while “Tumbling Tumbleweed” by the Sons of the Pioneers was playing which was the same song played the night she met the love of her life, our dad, Frank Zimmerer in Omaha, NE. They were married August 16, 1949 and spent their lives together until Frank's passing September 25, 2017. Frank was always the dreamer and she was the doer and together they were a much loved “Beautiful and Vivacious” couple. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to NAMI, St. Vincent DePaul or Riverstone Hospice House. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.