Don Zimmermann, 85, of Manitowoc, WI and Mesa, AZ, passed away June 15th 2022.
He was born on May 16th 1937 in the town of Centerville, WI, son of Walter and Lydia (Schuette) Zimmerman. He married Janelle Grotegut on August 15, 1959 and they had two children. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1963 and a Master of Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin in 1967. Don’s career in education ranged from one-room schoolhouses in rural Wisconsin, to Director of Elementary Schools for Manitowoc Public Schools until retirement.
Don served the Lord and others as a member of Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday Schoool, served on the church council, and as congregation president. He also coordinated the volunteers building the new church. He was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Manitowoc since 1975 and served as president and initially organized the club’s annual car show.
In his retirement, he and Janelle lived between Mesa, AZ and Manitowoc. He continued his passion for woodworking, constructing cabinetry, furniture pieces and small buildings. He enjoyed the Cubs, golfing, travel, automobiles, good Scotch, and learning about the Civil War and WWII. Making people laugh was also high on his priority list. He enjoyed writing skits and performin in the Golden Vista Comedy Club Shows where he also served as the MC. He often said, “If you’re not having a good time, it’s your own fault.”
He is survived by his wife, Janelle, son, Dean, and his wife, Tracy (Shaw) Zimmermann of Shingle Springs, CA, and daughter Diane and her husband, Todd Nelson of Naples, FL, and Lake Geneva, his sister-in-law, Jennifer Kieselhorst and mother-in-law, Frieda Grotegut of Manitowoc.
He is pre-deceased by his parents, Walter and Lydia Zimmermann, his father in law, Raymond Grotegut his sister and brother-in-law, Janice and Jerry Bock and brother in law, Larry Kieselhorst.
Funeral services will be held at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church. 2426 N Rapids Rd, Manitowoc, on Wednesday, July 13, with visitation from 9am to 10:45am. Services will be held at 11am followed by a luncheon at the church.
Memorials may be made to Grace Ev. Lutheran Church or Wounded Warriors.
