Kristina Marie Zimmerman Willson
January 26, 2013
Kristina Marie (Zimmerman) Willson, 48, of Grimes, Iowa, passed away January 26, 2013, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston after a courageous 3-month battle with Endometrial Ovarian Cancer. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 30 at 10 a.m., at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, 4600 Meredith Drive, Des Moines, Iowa. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery.
Kristi was born in Harlan, Iowa, on July 14, 1964, to Neil and Bonnie Zimmerman. The Zimmerman family moved to Indianola in 1967 and Kristi graduated from Indianola High School in 1982. She then attended Mercy College of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse in 1985. Kristi worked for Mercy Hospital, Principal, and most recently at CGS.
On February 20, 1988, Kristi was united in marriage with Robert C. Willson. Unto this marriage were born Jenna and Jared. Kristi enjoyed collecting baskets, cheering Jared on at sporting events, and spending mother/daughter time with Jenna.
Kristi is survived by her husband, Bob; daughter, Jenna; son, Jared; mother, Bonnie; brother, Jim; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Neil.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League, or Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
The family wishes to give their thanks to Dr. Christie and his Nurse Practitioner, Kelsey, and all of the other Doctors and Staff on Mercy 8th Floor South, and to Mercy Hospice in Johnston for the care and support throughout Kristi’s illness.
Norma Peterson
02/14/2013
I was also privileged to know Kristi. She always had a smile and a kind word. She won't be forgotten.
Sandy Beltz Holmes
01/31/2013
Dear Bonnie, I am so sorry to hear of Kristi's passing. I can feel your pain. I guess God needed another beautiful smile in heaven and he chose Kristi. Reading all the messages here is a wonderful tribute to her life. Even though she was taken way too early, she has left an incredible footprint here on earth that will always be remembered. God bless you, Bonnie. Sandy
Marilyn Long
01/31/2013
I am so sorry that you have lost your sister. She will always be in your heart.
Rosalie Primrose
01/29/2013
Dear Bonnie,
We haven't talked or seen each other for years and I am so very sorry for your loss. She was such a beautiful girl, one of the prettiest in school. I have been going through boxes of pictures the last few days and I just saw one of her graduation and her beautiful long curly hair. Cindy had to go to work at Methodist tonight and was afraid she wouldn't be able to keep from crying. She is also in the health field. I wish I could do something to help you. I will be praying for you tomorrow. I lost my husband to cancer 2 1/2 yrs. ago. It is never easy, but you can be so proud of her and her life. God Bless.
I am on Face Book. When you feel like it, look me up and we will talk.
Love, Rosalie
Heather Christianson Moser
01/29/2013
My sincerest sympathies to you for what must be a very difficult time...I am so sorry to hear of Kristi's passing. She and I were friends at Indianola Junior High and High School and shared many fun times just being girls! God's blessings to you all.
Cousin Roger Mortensen
01/29/2013
Aunt Bonnie & Jimmy, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of Kristi, my heart goes out to both of you & her family. She was a wonderful person & will be missed dearly. Please know you are in my thoughts & prayers, God bless you.
Michelle Murray Rohde
01/29/2013
My deepest sympathy to you all for the loss of Kristi....I knew her from IHS...she was such a nice person, a good friend and you always found her smiling! May you be blessed with the beautiful memories you have and may God give you the peace and comfort and understanding you need. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Cheri Guilfor Riebhoff
01/29/2013
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I only knew Kristi through IHS, but it looks like she had a beautiful life with family, friends and colleagues that adored her. You are in my prayers. God Bless you and heal you.
Dirk Rosenberger
01/29/2013
Bonnie & Jim, The words elude me as I try to express my thoughts for your bereavement over losing Kristi.
She is the best of the best this world will ever know! Your family has always been a great pleasure to be around and Im a richer person for that.
You are in my prayers
Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Mort
01/29/2013
Bonnie and your family, We were so sorry to hear of Kristi's death. Our prayers and thoughts are with you in this time of grief. Kristi kept in touch with me through email but didn't get to spend much time with her and her family. She was a lovely niece and am sorry we will not be able to attend the services since we are in Florida. Just know family, we are with you in spirit!!!
Effie Blake
01/28/2013
Bonnie, I can only imagine the heartache you are going through with your loss. Mothers should not have to burry there Children. And Jim I know this is also very hard on you and your heart is aching too. She no longer suffering and has returned home to God and all those that went home before her.You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer Eubanks
01/28/2013
Jenna,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom's passing. Losing a loved one is so hard. Let me know of you need anyhting.
Chuck Fritz
01/28/2013
I was a classmate of Kristi's in high school and was a colleague at PFG although I only saw her infrequently there. Kristi was always such a nice, intelligent and positive person. She will certainly be missed.
Jaci Taylor
01/28/2013
I was a high school classmate of Kristi's. I am so sad to hear of her death. I always remember her as such a sweet, kind person. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Linda Hagerty
01/28/2013
I too was blessed to have known Kristi through working with her at PFG. She was a first class person in so many ways. My sympathy to all in your loss. May God comfort you.