Yvonne Lynn Zimmerman

Yvonne Lynn Zimmerman moved to her heavenly home on September 26, 2025.  She lived a long and fulfilling life.  Her greatest joys were her relationship with God, her family and her friends. Yvonne was a loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother and great-grandmother (GG) and will be forever loved and missed. 

Yvonne was born on November 2nd, 1936 in Exeter, California to Melford and Evelyn Brokaw.  She lived her early life in Exeter with her parents and beloved younger brother Leon.  The Brokaws were a well respected christian family who had a thriving fruit farm outside of Exeter. Yvonne graduated from Exeter High School in 1954.  

In 1957 Yvonne married William Jackson Ryan from nearby Farmersville.   Fun Facts: Bill (who was left-handed) and Yvonne had four left-handed daughters; all born in different California communities.  Maureen in Exeter, Adele in Sacramento, Jennifer in Santa Barbara and the baby Kellie born in Kingsburg. In 1970, Bill died at the age of 38.  This left Yvonne a very young widow of 33 to raise their daughters, ages ranging from 12 years to 14 months.  

At that time, Yvonne moved to Visalia to be closer to her parents and raised her girls close to family. 

Yvonne worked in the medical field for several years.  She worked for several local physicians over the years in the fields of family practice, ENT, neurology and dermatology.  Yvonne also spent several years working in the legal realm,  as a court transcriptionist and legal secretary.  She was known to type over 100 words a minute and was highly valued in all areas of her employment.  

Yvonne got reacquainted with a classmate, Ed Zimmerman, at their thirtieth class reunion.  Ed and Yvonne had both been in school leadership at Exeter High School  They had dated a few times in High School and went to two proms together.  So when these two lifelong friends married in 1987 their families could not have been more pleased.  Ed and Yvonne were so well fitted for each other.  Ed, the social butterfly; Mr. Spontaneous and Yvonne the quiet, calming presence in their home.  Together they blended together a loving, noisy and happy family.

Yvonne had a very deep faith which she carried with her throughout her life.  She prayed tirelessly for her family. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were so very blessed to be on her prayer, hug and lullaby list.  The last several years of her life, Yvonne was blessed to be pastored by her brother, Bishop Leon Brokaw.   

Yvonne is survived by her husband, Ed Zimmerman, her daughters Maureen Leak (Greg), Adele Brumley (Art), Jennifer Bakker (Jim) and Kellie Ryan.  She is also survived by two sons, Mike Zimmerman (Carrie) and Jeff Zimmerman.  Yvonne is also survived by seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, Melford and Evelyn Brokaw, her brother Leon Brokaw, her first husband William (Lefty) Ryan and her grandson Patrick Ryan Juarez.

Services are entrusted to Smith Family Chapel in Exeter, California.  Celebration service will be held on Friday, October 3rd at 1:00 PM at Smith Family Chapel, 505 E. Pine Street, Exeter California.  

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