Shirley Jean Zimmerman, 75, of Burlington and formerly of Madison, passed away Jan. 14, 2026, at Aurora Medical Center of Burlington.
Shirley was born Feb. 24, 1950, to Milo and Dorothy Thompson. Their family moved 17 times before Shirley turned 18. She graduated from Richland Center High School in 1968. After graduating, Shirley worked at the University of Madison bookstore. In June of 1974, Shirley married the love of her life James Zimmerman at Westwood Christian Church of Madison. She and Jim shared more than 50 wonderful years together. After marriage Shirley worked as head election official for East Troy Township for 27 years.
Shirley had a passion for history. She was a board member of the Rochester Area Historical Society. She and her husband Jim restored their 16-room Queen Ann style home, originally built in 1911, to its former glory, landing the home on historical sites both State and Nationwide. She also enjoyed writing, poetry, baking, and quilting.
Shirley will be dearly missed by her adoring husband Jim; her sister Linda Spurlock of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; her brother Robert Thompson of Platteville; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Gene, Patty, Allen, and Roger Thompson.
A celebration of Shirley’s life will take place on Feb. 21, 2026, at Integrity Celebrations Center, 2789 Browns Lake Dr., Burlington. Visitation will be from 9:30 until 10:50 a.m., with a memorial service at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon.
The family requests memorials be made to Whitewater Bible Church or Emmanuel Baptist Church of Burlington.
Services have been entrusted to Integrity Funeral Services. For online condolences, please visit www.integrityfunerals.net.