Trivia

Although suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux for many years, she continued to lead a very active life. Among other things, the great-grandmother painted in oils, did needlework and helped out on the family ranch. As a performer, she continued to appear with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra and other former regulars from the Welk show at the Lawrence Welk Champagne Theater in Branson, Missouri. She also hosted several of the Welk show reruns airing for years on PBS.

A devout Christian.

Under her maiden name of Norma Larsen, and later under her married name, Norma Zimmer was a top background singer in the Hollywood studios for more than a decade before joining the Lawrence Welk show as "Champagne Lady" in 1960. As a background vocalist, she worked on several sessions for, among others, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Dale Evans, and Gordon Jenkins.

sons, Ron and Mark

In the 1961 movie Snow White and the Three Stooges, Carol Heiss' uncredited singing voice was dubbed by Norma Zimmer (of Lawrence Welk fame).

Had a sister and a brother.

Appeared as a guest soloist on Billy Graham's Crusade in Albuquerque, New Mexico [1975].

Fell from a horse, circa 1984.

After moving to Los Angeles around age 18 to pursue a career in show business, where she sang in church choirs and local groups, Norma Zimmer began her film career with a small singing role in the musical comedy Mr. Music (1950), starring Bing Crosby and directed by Richard Haydn. Her performance marked an early on-screen appearance amid her rising profile as a vocalist in Los Angeles.

A significant part of her formative years involved her commitment to the University Christian Church choir in Seattle, where she sang for seven years starting in her early teens. The choir director, Carl A. Pitzer, recognized her soprano potential and, as a high school senior, invited her to become a featured soloist, marking a pivotal step in her musical growth. These church experiences, combined with local performances such as singing at weddings for small fees, honed her voice and instilled a deep appreciation for sacred music.

In the post-World War II era, American radio remained the dominant medium for music and entertainment, with variety and educational programs flourishing amid a surge in home listening and the return of GIs seeking escapist content. Zimmer's early radio appearances on Sparkle Time helped establish her reputation as a promising soprano vocalist, building a foundation of recognition that propelled her toward studio work and larger opportunities in the evolving entertainment industry. Her performances typically featured soprano solos, emphasizing melodic precision and emotional depth in popular and light classical selections suited to the era's broadcast formats.

Norma Zimmer made her solo radio debut in 1947, appearing as a guest on the CBS musical variety program Sparkle Time, hosted by Meredith Willson. This appearance marked her entry into network radio as a featured vocalist. Following this breakthrough, Zimmer became a regular weekly performer on the show as a member of The Singers vocal group, gaining valuable exposure in the competitive Los Angeles radio scene.

Her father's profession as a violin teacher provided the household with a strong musical foundation, exposing young Norma to classical music and instruments from an early age, though her small hands prevented her from pursuing the violin herself.

In 1977, Zimmer released her self-titled solo album Norma on Ranwood Records (R-8169). This collection blends sacred hymns, patriotic anthems, and lighter fare, showcasing her versatility beyond ensemble work. Notable tracks encompass "Rock of Ages," "Ave Maria," "The Lord's Prayer," "In the Garden," "God Bless America," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," and "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart," with a single duet "Abide With Me" alongside Jim Roberts. Produced in a folk and country-influenced style, the album received attention for its uplifting arrangements and Zimmer's refined vocal phrasing, marking a continuation of her shift toward independent projects.

She began her professional career as a studio singer in Los Angeles, performing with the vocal group the Girlfriends and collaborating with major entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bing Crosby, including a notable recording of "White Christmas" with Crosby.

Zimmer also ventured into acting, appearing in films like "Mr. Music" (1950) alongside Crosby, providing the voice of the White Rose in Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" (1951), and guest-starring on episodes of I Love Lucy.

Zimmer and her husband, Randy Zimmer, a builder and property developer, co-owned several business ventures that diversified their interests outside entertainment. They owned a ski lodge at Kratka Ridge in the Angeles Crest National Forest, where Randy served as one of the corporate owners and contributed to the area's development as a ski destination. Additionally, the couple managed a mobile home park in California. In the late 1950s, Randy constructed Park La Habra Mobile Homes in Orange County, a community comprising 107 spaces. These non-musical pursuits offered Zimmer a means to maintain balance amid her performing schedule and sustained her active lifestyle following retirement from television. Family involvement supported the management of these enterprises.

In 1951, Zimmer lent her soprano voice to Disney's animated adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, providing the singing for the character of the White Rose during the "Golden Afternoon" sequence. This uncredited contribution highlighted her versatility in animation and studio voice work.[10] Later in the decade, she provided the singing voice for Margaret O'Brien's character in the musical drama Glory (1956), directed by David Butler.

Zimmer also performed an uncredited singing part on the title song "3:10 to Yuma" in the Western film of the same name (1957), composed by Ned Washington and George Duning, originally sung by Frankie Laine.

Her breakthrough came in 1960 when she joined The Lawrence Welk Show as its lead female vocalist, a role that defined her career and made her a household name through the program's blend of big band, polka, and light classical music broadcast on ABC and later in syndication until 1982.

Beyond television, Zimmer's soprano voice graced religious and public events, including performances with the Billy Graham Crusade and a solo appearance at a White House church service during President Richard Nixon's administration in 1971.

Norma Zimmer attended public schools in Seattle, Washington, where she developed her musical talents during her high school years. She participated actively in school productions, leading several musicals and joining the choir under the guidance of her singing teacher, who required her involvement to earn top grades. This early exposure helped overcome her initial shyness and laid the foundation for her vocal skills.

Beyond her musical career, Norma Zimmer engaged in painting as a personal hobby and artistic outlet. She was an accomplished artist whose paintings adorned the walls of her home, with admirers noting that her artistic talent was comparable to her vocal powerness.

Zimmer's musical aspirations were influenced by her family's background, particularly her father's experience as a violinist before an injury altered their lives, alongside the nurturing environment of church involvement that encouraged her faith-driven singing. Despite being offered a musical scholarship to Seattle University, she declined it to focus on intensive vocal studies and professional opportunities, prioritizing her passion for performance over formal higher education.

Zimmer was born in a log cabin on her grandfather's dairy farm in Larson, Shoshone County, Idaho.