Norma Zimmer Biography

One of the loveliest in a long line of "Champagne Ladies", Norma Zimmer seems the living embodiment of what the perfect Champagne Lady should be. "They broke the mold when they created Norma," as her boss Lawrence Welk would affectionately say. "She's just as beautiful inside as she is outside."

The entire Musical Family share Lawrence's feelings about Norma. Everyone loves her.

She recently had a battle with her health that had all her family and friends worried. For nearly ten years she suffered from "trigeminal facial neuralgia" which can strike without warning and cause excruciating pain. The condition became worse and nothing seemed to help. It got to the point where Norma was unable to eat because of the pain. It was at this desperate point that she found her own miracle.

"We were finally told of a world-renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Peter J. Jannetta, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who might be able to help. We decided to meet with him. On the flight from California, I found that if I didn't touch the roof of my mouth, I could be pain free, so I sat quietly all the way. Just before arriving, a lovely stewardess leaned over our seat. "You're a Christian aren't you? I nodded yes. "I've been praying for you," she said. We grouped together and she prayed a beautiful prayer. I felt uplifted! As I stood to leave the plane I closed my eyes. It was as though Jesus cradled me in His arms like a child and said "Fear not." I left the plane with peace and joy and never had a moment's fear from then on!

We met Dr. Jannetta the next day and many tests were performed. A few days later, I was admitted to the hospital where surgery, called Microvascular Decompression, was scheduled for 6:30 AM on February 8th. Within 48-hours after the surgery, I felt like a new person! On the third day I was allowed to shower and shampoo. I got dressed, put on my makeup and began hiking through the hospital halls. After one week I was released and we flew home and I am the happiest gal in the whole world! No pain!"

Says Norma, with the radiant faith that has always sustained her, "I believe my recovery was because of Randy's (her husband) loving care, the prayers of our family and friends and the skill of my surgeon. I thank God for all of you."

Norma's faith has been a source of help since she was a teenager. Most Welk fans know she was born in Idaho, the daughter of musically gifted parents. It was while she was attending high school in Seattle, Washington that she experienced the three major events which shaped her life: she met Carl Pitzer, a music teacher who believed in her talent; she became a lifelong Christian; and she met the man with whom she has spent her life.

Norma and Randy met on a ski trip in the Seattle area and were instantly attracted. Randy, an excellent skier, immediately offered to teach her. They have a beautiful mountain top holiday home in Park City, Utah where they can ski to their heart's content.

Randy and Norma continued to date, but before they married, talent scouts heard Norma sing and encouraged her to try for a musical career. So she and Randy's sister braved Hollywood. Within weeks, Norma had begun a career, which found her singing on radio, recordings and television shows. She and Randy were married, and he began his highly successful career as a builder in Southern California.

Norma continued her career and she was always in demand, but her real recognition came when she guest starred on "The Lawrence Welk Show." His television audience made its approval known and Lawrence invited her to return. On New Year's Eve, 1960 he asked her, on camera, to be the Champagne Lady. Says Norma laughingly recalling that momentous day, "my look of shock was so real people thought it was rehearsed. But it wasn't. I was stunned."

Norma went on to become one of the most-beloved members of the Show. She sings occasionally at religious convocations, but her life revolves around her family, Randy, their two sons and grandchildren.

Both Zimmers continue to lead very, very active lives. They ski and hike mountain trails almost every day. She loves to paint and spends hours at her easel working on portraits and still lifes. Several of her works have been shown on the Easter and Thanksgiving shows. "I love being on public television," she says. "I've always felt that public television presents the very finest in entertainment and I always look forward to hosting "The Lawrence Welk Show."