Rita Isabelle Zimmerman

Rita was born in South Dakota on July 13, 1923, one of six children born to Agatha and Charles Rust. She is predeceased by her parents, brothers and sisters, beloved son, Kermit Allum, step daughter, Patricia Gaskins, and her husband of 30 years, Frank Zimmerman.

Moving to Houston in 1948, she rose from the Steno Pool to Executive Secretary with Amoco, finally retiring in 1979 to move to Blue Lake Estates/Horseshoe Bay near Marble Falls, TX. where she and Frank enjoyed many happy years entertaining family and friends, playing golf, traveling to many places here and abroad, and most of all, happy to have found each other. Rita was a gracious hostess who perfected the art of serving a beautiful meal in elegant surroundings. And always impeccably attired, everyone around her admired her poise and grace. Rita had a great sense of humor and loved to have a good time. She and Frank participated in many costume parties at the lake, thoroughly enjoying the opportunities to “kick up their heels” and “dress up”.

Rita and Frank met and were married at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Houston, TX. and enjoyed being active in the Guild with dear friends.

After her husband died, Rita moved back to Houston to live in Independent Living at Eagle’s Trace, where she made many new friends, and always enjoyed the 5:00 P.M. cocktail hour! Finally needing to move to Assisted Living, she was surrounded by excellent caretakers, and loving family members in her final days.

Rita was “second mom” to and survived by daughter Rachel Mattox and husband Toby of Houston, son Geoff Zimmerman and wife Alice of Corpus Christi, grandchildren Meredith Cooley and husband Scott of Houston and their children Harris and Cameron, Aaron Mattox and his wife Martha and their children John David and Kendall of Fort Worth, Josiah Zimmerman and his wife Katie and their children of Tucson, AZ, William Gaskins of San Antonio, Robert Allum in New Jersey, and Cassie Debusk in Virginia.

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Houston, Texas, South Carolina, and South Dakota.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Dr., Houston, TX 77024, at 10:00 A.M. on November 22, 2021.

Interment will take place at a later date, in McPherson, Kansas, next to her husband, Frank.

In lieu of flowers, you may send memorial statements or contributions in Rita Zimmerman’s honor to St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Dr., Houston, TX 77024.