Zerma D. (Zee Dee) Kinkel

Zerma Deane (Zee Dee) Kinkel

May 7, 1930 – March 26, 2014

Zee Dee Kinkel left this world to be with God and many friends and family who will be anxious to see her.

Born May 7, 1930, to Drexel and Blanche McBeath in Pueblo, Colorado, Zee Dee graduated from Central High School in Pueblo and attended classes at CU, CSU, and Western State.

As executive director of Montrose Regional Library for 24 years, she traveled throughout the U.S. attending library learning and training conferences.  Zee Dee was so excited to increase usage of the library from a small area in the old City Hall to building a new library where the police station now stands.  She planned that the library would serve the community for 20 years, and  she saw that dream realized.  Her legacy was developing the library so it would go on to become what it is today.  Zee Dee implemented the networking of library systems on the Western Slope, and promoted the bookmobile service for the rural communities.

Zee Dee was a member of the Colorado Library Association, Altrusa, Order of the Eastern Star, and Beta Sigma Phi.  She loved acting and performed in several early productions of the Magic Circle Theatre.  She was an avid bookworm and puzzle-solver, loved playing the piano, and enjoyed being part of the CB radio craze of the ’70s, using the handle “Shakespeare.”

Zee Dee was a loving wife and mother with a sharp intellect and a terrific sense of humor.  Zee Dee will be greatly missed by her husband of 65 years, Del Kinkel; her daughter Rhonda (Andy) Palmer; son Brian (Kathi) Kinkel; granddaughters Cheyenna Davis, Ashley (Patrick) Salazar, and Mickala Palmer; and great-granddaughter Kelsey Saavedra.

Services will be held at a latter date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Zee Dee to Hope West Hospice, City of Montrose Animal Shelter or Montrose Regional Library.  Arrangements are under the care of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colorado