Jacquelyn Borgeson-Zimmer, who served as curator of the Martin and Osa Safari Museum for 30 years, died Jan. 5, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. Her loss has been felt locally and around the world, as Borgeson-Zimmer worked throughout her career to keep the museum active in the community while expanding global knowledge of Martin and Osa Johnson’s work. Retired Safari Museum Director Conrad Froelich described her as “a force of nature.”
“She was like the Energizer Bunny — she just kept going and going and doing everything,” Froelich said. “It was my job to stay out of her way and make sure she had the resources she needed.”
Froelich said Borgeson-Zimmer joined the museum staff in 1995. Her husband, Lloyd Zimmer, said she later admitted she had no idea who the Johnsons were when she agreed to interview for the position. Over the years, Borgeson-Zimmer often said it felt like fate when she learned she and Martin Johnson were both born Oct. 9.
“She thought the Safari Museum sounded interesting but did not know anything about the Johnsons’ story,” Zimmer said. “So she came to the museum the day before her interview, and while she was there, she fell in love with them. That’s when she decided this was the job she wanted.”
Zimmer said that after visiting the museum, Borgeson-Zimmer checked out “I Married Adventure” and “Four Years in Paradise” by Osa Johnson to prepare for her interview. Decades later, the couple found notes from a board member who had been present during the interview that read, “Clearly doesn’t know a thing about Martin and Osa, but I love her enthusiasm.”
Borgeson-Zimmer’s enthusiasm for the Johnsons took her across the globe, from remote islands in the South Pacific to Kenya, Borneo, Ireland, and Prague. Zimmer accompanied her on four international trips, calling himself her “bag man.”
“For me, the most exciting part was literally following and escorting her to these places where her name preceded her,” he said. “She was absolutely adored. People flocked to see her. In almost every one of these places, she gave presentations and speeches, and it was literally flowing out the door and into the streets for people to hear her.”
Zimmer said one of Borgeson-Zimmer’s most important projects was identifying the names and stories of the Indigenous people photographed by Martin and Osa Johnson and forging connections with their descendants. He said she once met a man in Borneo who had been photographed as a young child and was able to interview him and record his story.
“I think that was one of her most prized accomplishments over the 30 years she was at the museum,” Zimmer said. “It was important to her in the same way that creating her own identity at the museum was — having an identity that still exists after you’re gone. She felt that also applied to the other people in the photos, as well as the Johnsons.”
In addition to her travels, Borgeson-Zimmer focused her energy on growing the museum in Chanute. Former Safari Museum board member Heather Guernsey said she fondly remembers planning museum events with Borgeson-Zimmer, who is credited with the expansion of community events such as the Safari Family Fun Days, A mother daughter tea party that she hosted for years, and the annual Night at The Museum.
“She would always have the best ideas, and she’d get so excited that it made you excited,” Guernsey said. “She was infectious with her love of the museum.”
Froelich said Borgeson-Zimmer revitalized educational programming for children at the museum and created a welcoming space for young people who did not always fit in elsewhere, referring to them as her “museum kids.”
“She inspired so many young people,” he said. “They would hang out here. She gave them jobs so they actually contributed and felt like they were part of the team.” He said hearing teachers and leaders explain why the work matters has been a point of pride.
TOP: Jacquelyn Borgeson-Zimmer and her husband Lloyd Zimmer in front of Lake Paradise where the Johnsons spent several years. ABOVE LEFT: Jacquelyn Borgeson-Zimmer poses with a boomerang in the museum early into her career. ABOVE RIGHT: Jacquelyn Borgeson Zimmer poses with a book written by Martin Johnson while dressed for the Safari Museum Gala. Photos submitted by Lloyd Zimmer
“I want to take a minute to recognize the leaders of our departments, grade levels, and teams,” Koester said. “You ultimately help create an unparalleled system. We couldn’t do this work without you.”
PLC leaders meet weekly and collaborate closely with the district’s leadership team to support teachers and improve student outcomes.
The PLC leaders recognized were Ashley Ausemus, Lance Burnett, Mandy Duling, Kathi Emling, Trevor Ewert, Julie Ferraro, Dustin Fox, Darilyn Galemore, Beth Jackett, Wendy Jones, Alli Mewhinney, Madison Mitchell, Lindsey Peter, Mary Reilly, Max Ruark, Shannon Sommers, Jeremy Wire, and Jennifer Younger.
Director of Teaching and Learning Tyler Applegate also shared an update on the district’s January EdCamp professional development event, which he said received strong feedback from participants.
Applegate said the event included 70 sessions across five time slots, with 26 presenters from USD 413. Staff from the Southeast District also attended, bringing approximately 50 additional participants.
“It was a really good day,” Applegate said. “There was great learning and really good feedback.”
Applegate thanked district leadership for its support and said the event has become an important annual opportunity for collaboration.
In other business, the Board of Education reviewed and approved the academic calendar for the 2025-’26 school year. Koester said one of the main changes was moving professional development days from October and January to the end of the school year to allow more time for the district’s summer institute.
The calendar includes 185 contract days and 170 student attendance days. Koester said the schedule exceeds the state-required 1,116 instructional hours, allowing flexibility for inclement weather.
“If you create a schedule that exceeds 1,116 hours, you can build in snow days,” Koester said. “If we fall below that threshold, those days can be forgiven. They are not actually additional days.”
The calendar designates Oct. 19, 20, and 21 as potential weather-related forgiveness days. Board member Heather Guernsey moved to adopt the calendar, and the motion passed.
During the new business, Koester presented a proposal to purchase a power livestock chute for the district’s animal science program. Koester said the district received three quotes, all at straight retail pricing, from vendors in Leawood, El Dorado, and Oklahoma.
Eubanks Equipment submitted the lowest bid, offering a 10% discount and pricing the chute at an all-in cost of $29,065.50.
Board President Cassie Cleaver emphasized that no taxpayer dollars would be used for the purchase. The chute will be paid for by foundation funds donated specifically for the animal science program, with the district purchasing the equipment so it remains district property.
Board member Derek Waggoner moved to approve the purchase.
In addition, the board approved several items on the consent agenda. Board members approved an engagement letter for Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips, PA to perform the district’s 2025-26 fiscal audit and authorized Board President Cleaver to sign the agreement on behalf of the board.
The board also accepted a $500 donation from Sunflower Chapter No. 147 Order of the Eastern Star for Debbie’s Fund and accepted a donation of 21 shirts, valued at $275.94, from Home Savings Bank for the Chanute Middle School Scholars’ Bowl team.
Board members also approved the surplus and proper disposal of 175 middle school choir shirts bearing the Rocket logo.
Tuesday’s edition of the Tribune will include the Superintendent’s report and the presentation of a new club at Chanute High School called BOLT.
