Paula Zimmerschied

Paula Zimmerschied, 1960 to 2025, artist, art teacher, friend. Paula brought love and light to all who knew her. She was a beloved teacher for over thirty years and touched many people with her kindness and sense of fairness.

Paula Elizabeth Zimmerschied was the first born to Carl and Nedra Zimmerschied in Sedalia, Missouri on August 24, 1960. She graduated from Smith Cotton High School class of 1978 and received her Bachelor of Arts from Baker University where she played basketball and softball. In addition to her sports prowess, she was recognized for her academic achievement and was always appreciative of the liberal arts education afforded her at Baker. Paula never stopped learning (it was a core value) and received her Master’s degree from UCM and continued to take classes even after that achievement.

Paula was an art lover and creative from an early age and art served her well throughout her life. An elementary art teacher for thirty years, she inspired countless students to pursue their dreams, whatever they were. She loved teaching and impacting the lives of young people and always seemed to connect with her students in deep and meaningful ways.

The same was true for her teacher colleagues. She developed and maintained lifelong friends at Underwood Elementary School in Lee’s Summit, MO where she spent most of her teaching years. Paula volunteered for a variety of committees but, ever the champion of the underdog, the anti-bullying Hero Ambassadors team was of particular importance to her.

While art was the core for Paula, she also spent countless hours on the basketball court and softball field. She was the assistant coach for the undefeated Lee’s Summit State 4-A Championship team in 1990. She enjoyed being a mentor and coach to these talented young women.

As Paula’s teaching career wound down, she was selected to be a guest artist for the annual Arthritis Foundation fundraiser that paired young artists with an adult artist coach. She spent several sessions guiding her young student to create a glass work that was auctioned off.

After her retirement from teaching, Paula pursued art in other ways. She painted murals and signs for the local farmer and pumpkin patch owner. She illustrated a book about farm animals and during her post retirement job at Home Depot, she painted custom aprons for her co-workers. She completed multiple stained glass and mosaic projects. She really loved working with glass.

In 2007, at the invitation of mutual friends, Paula crashed a party at Leslie’s house and their grand adventure began. Their wedding on April 9, 2016 was the best day ever. Paula and Leslie’s life together was a reflection of their shared core values of love for family and friends. She loved her family and friends deeply and she made sure you knew it. Her notes and cards were thoughtful and heartwarming. She seemed to know just what to say and how to say it.

Paula is preceded in death by her mother, Nedra Zimmerschied. She is survived by her wife, Leslie Borden, her father Carl Zimmerschied and her sister, Carla Jackson (Jeff) of Sedalia, Missouri. Also surviving, her brother Jay Zimmerschied (Karen) of Lawrence, Kansas. Nieces Jennifer DeHaven (Scott), Sedalia, Missouri and Amanda Byers (Kyle) of Leawood Kansas. Nephews Alex Zimmerschied (Jess), Olathe, Kansas and Andrew Zimmerschied, Lawrence, Kansas.

She is also survived by great nieces and nephews: Charlotte, Henry, Grace and Arthur Byers, and Oliver Zimmerschied.

Paula wanted to be remembered for her love of teaching art, her love of family and her love of dogs. Riley and Eliot deserve special mentions. She should also be remembered for her love of learning, being a terrific friend, being an excellent wife and an even better daughter and sister.