Joan "Bitsy" (Eddy) Ziemann, age 91, of Spearfish SD, passed away peacefully and went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 16th in her home at Garden Hills Assisted Living.

Bitsy was born on July 5th, 1932, to John Eddy and Laura (Zimmerman) Eddy on the family ranch near Dupree, SD. Fourth of eight children the family moved to Spearfish in 1948 when she was 16 years old. She graduated from Spearfish High School in 1950 and promptly attended Black Hills State University (BHSU) where she attained her teaching certificate and started teaching. She met her future husband, James Richard Ziemann of Fort Pierre, SD at BHSU and shortly thereafter they were married at The United Church of Christ in Spearfish, SD.

Jim enlisted in the Marines and went through bootcamp in San Diego, California in the early 50's. After completion of bootcamp, Jim came back and married Joan. They moved back to San Diego and started their life together in a small home on Coronado Island, CA.  Jim went through the ranks as a Marine while Joan worked as a teacher, cashier and salesperson for numerous years. Jim enlisted in the officer program and they moved to Fort Collins, Colorado.  Jim attended Colorado State University to complete his education as an attorney. Close to Jim's graduation, Joan gave birth to their firstborn child, Scott Huston Ziemann on March 9th, 1961. They were overjoyed and Joan spoiled the little darling.  Jim graduated and the new family moved back to San Diego, living in Oceanside, CA, close to where Jim worked at Camp Pendleton. Joan was a stay-at-home mom and eventually gave birth to their second child, Lizabeth Ziemann, born on February 20th, 1965, in Oceanside.  The family was growing and Jim was transferred to MCRD in Point Loma, California. The family moved to Pacific Beach, California around 1966 and then to University City, California in 1970 where the family was blessed with their third child, Jason Powers Ziemann on September 20th, 1971.  Joan continued to be a stay-at-home mother.  She was a master seamstress, avid quilter, plus a master chef feeding her growing family.  Joan won many awards for her cooking and quilting.  She would travel to many different quilting shows and events winning several awards throughout the years and her lifetime.  Jim retired from the military in the late 70's.  In 1987 they both moved back to South Dakota.  Jim passed away in October of 1987 and was laid to rest in Fort Pierre, SD with the rest of the Ziemann family.

Joan is survived by her three children, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Her oldest son Scott, his wife Melinda, and their children Katana, Tyler, his daughter Emma, Jessica, her husband Luke Jensen, and son Walter, and Noah Ziemann who all live in and around Spokane, WA. Lizabeth Ziemann currently lives in Santee/Lakeside, CA. Youngest son Jason and his three children Nathan Ziemann (USMC – Camp Pendleton, CA), Jenae Ziemann and Seth Ziemann currently live in Ft. Worth, Texas.  Joan is also survived by her younger brother Larry Eddy and his wife Irene Eddy from Rapid City, SD and her baby sister Kay Simons from Rapid City.  Joan loved her family above all else in this life. The Eddy family was her rock next to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Free, free, free at last with her heavenly family!

Funeral Service – Viewing is on Monday June 24th at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel Spearfish, SD from 1-3 pm. Service with be at United Church of Christ Spearfish, SD on Tuesday, June 25th at 11:00 am. Buriel will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish, SD at 12:00 pm.

Favorite verses –

John 14:6:  Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me."

Proverbs 16:9:  The mind of a person plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish.