Ralph Zimmerman was born Oct. 18, 1910, on a farm in the Gerlane
     community. He was the son of George and Anna Zimmerman. At the age of 
     eleven, he moved to Kiowa with his parents and three sisters. He
     attended the Kiowa schools and became a member of the Methodist Church.
     On March 3, 1935, he married Alpha A. Frieden, daughter of Alf and Ida
     Frieden. Alpha was born in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, on June 18, 1915.
     She attended the Burlinton, Oklahoma, school and the Kiowa schools,
     where she graduated in 1934.
          Ralph and Alpha lived on a farm 13 miles northwest of Kiowa, where
     Ralph was engaged in farming. They lost their first two children in 
     infancy: Larry Ralph on December 17, 1938, and Barbara Ann, June 14,
     1941. On November 10, 1942, a daughter, Patsy, was born and on June 26,
     1946, a daughter, Pamela Sue, was born. They were very proud of their
     daughters.
          Tragedy struck in April, 1947, when a tornado struck their home,
     taking the house and everything in it. After the tornado, Ralph moved
     his family to Kiowa. He continued to farm his land of which he was always
     very proud.
          In 1956 he and his family moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he took 
     night welding classes. In a year they moved back to Kiowa. In 1958 Ralph
     started his own welding shop. In 1962 he went into business with Harry 
     Warrington under the name H&R Welding and Repair. He continued here until
     his death February 14, 1963.
          After Ralph's death, Alpha attended Pratt Beauty College; and after
     graduating, she was employed at Nelda's shop in Kiowa, where she worked
     until her death July 9, 1965.
          Their children have families of their own. Patsy married Larry 
     Warrington, June 6, 1964; they have two boys, Bradley, born Aug. 4, 1968,
     and Jason, born May 3, 1974. Pamela married Tom Snodgrass, January 2, 1966. 
     They have two children, Burke born July 20, 1966, and Krista, born Sept.
     16, 1969.
          I remember my parents as hard working people and always kind and honest
     in everything they did. They were always content with the life God had
     given them.
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 500 
     Submitted by: Patsy Zimmerman Warrington