The Times-Independent

Stephanie Zimmerman, 1982-2020


 

 

On June 15, 2020, our beloved Stephanie was taken from us in a tragic car accident. Stephanie Marie Hansell Zimmerman was born July 11, 1982 to Kelly Sims and Pete Hansell.

A portrait of the late Stephanie Zimmerman

She graduated Grand County High in 2000 with a 4.0 GPA. She was the Homecoming Queen her senior year and won the Sterling Scholarship Award. Stephanie’s passion was gardening. She was part of the original Youth Garden Project and was instrumental in bringing it to life.

After high school she attended Westminster College, where she finished on the Dean’s List and earned her BA in Economics. After college she managed several high-end clubs and bars before moving back to Moab, where she eventually became the manager of the state liquor store.

Stephanie loved going out in the desert. She loved collecting plants and rocks and whatever other random thing she would find. She loved camping, reading, photography and cared deeply for her family. Stephanie’s pride and joy was her daughter, Elliot Kohler. Elliot would be the first thing Stephanie ever talked about in a conversation with anyone.

Stephanie was a free spirit. She did nothing without purpose. She was as real as it gets no matter if you liked what she said or not. Her ability to communicate with any person with whom she came in contact, without judgment, was one of her best qualities. Stephanie’s presence in the room was known immediately as she was always the life of the party. Stephanie will be missed beyond measure.

Her husband, Jason Zimmerman; daughter, Elliot Kelly Kohler; stepdaughter, Tyler Upchurch (Zimmerman); grandson, Liam Lewis Upchurch; mother, Kelly Sims; father, Pete Hansell; stepfather, Cortez Washington; sister, Sarah Hansell; brothers, Kyle and Marcus Washington; and sister, Mallory Washington; along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, survive her.

Rest in peace, my love.

There will be a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 21 at Lions Park. Anyone who would like to attend is invited.

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