April Zimmerer

April Valarie Zimmerer passed away unexpectedly on July 3, 2024 in Seattle while awaiting a transplant. April was born on the Flathead Reservation on November 11, 1963 to Mary Lou Sorrel and Val “Big Tom” Thomas. She was raised in Great Falls after being adopted by Gertie and “Mickey” McClure. April loved growing up in Great Falls and was always ready to talk about her adventures with her friends, the Decker girls. 

April married Walter Zimmerer in 1985 and they divorced in 1987. April and Walter had three children, two girls and a boy over the course of their relationship. Walter died in 2001. After many years of being single for the sake of her children, April found the love and happiness she deserved when she met Jim Aspevig in 2016. Jim remained by April's side and gave her the love and care she deserved until her last breath. 

April‘s life and career was given in service to others. She began working in group homes and caring for the residents while still in her teens. After moving back to Pablo as a young mother she returned to school, attending SKC. While it was not easy to go to school and raise two girls at the same time, April succeeded in earning her Bachelors degree in Human Services in 1995 and was among the first in her family to graduate from college. She worked in a number of public service roles for the benefit of her community and other tribal members, including Voc Rehab, LIEAP, and Housing. 

There was nothing more important to April than her family.  She was preceded in death by her fathers Harold "Mickey" McClure, Val Thomas, Ernest "Rawhide" Sorrell, mother Gertrude " Gurtie" McClure, sister Donna "Ida" Matt, brothers Mark Thomas, Lynn Birthmark, Jamie McClure, Christopher Lamere, Marshall McClure, and Eddie "Toot" McClure, and her children's father Walter Zimmerer.

She is survived by her children Tiffany, Courtney, and Susep; grandchildren Landin, Kyrin, Jerny, Corbin, Quience, Zachariah, Braelyn, Emmalyn, Zakai and Elyas. Her mother Mary Lou Sorrell, sisters Lolanda "Lou", and Opal; brothers Willie, Ernie, Dino, Monte, Kevin, Terry and Darrin and her love Jim Aspevig. 

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