Donald LeRoy Zimmerman

A life well lived

I was given the gift of life on August 15, 1933 in New Leipzig, ND and on May 5, 2017, I returned that gift, well used I might add, to Jesus Christ as promised and for that I am grateful. My earthly life was richly blessed with opportunities. I graduated from high school and took a job at a gas station in Mott, ND and soon after I began my career with Northwestern Bell as a lineman in July of 1953. Also, that year I married my high school sweetheart Marlyn, the best decision of my life, I was drafted into the service and was stationed in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey from 1953 to 1955. After my service was up we moved to Bismarck, ND where I continued a career with Northwestern Bell. My tenure at the company saw us relocate a few times from Glen Ullin, New Salem, Bismarck, to and within, Riverdale and finally Garrison, ND where we found our permanent home. I retired from US West (previously Northwestern Bell) after 34 years. But that didn't take, so I began a 10-year run with Reservation Telephone Company and retired again in 1995.

It was a privilege to meet so many wonderful people during my time with the American Legion in Riverdale and Garrison. I was honored to serve on the boards of the hospital and our church as well the opportunity to be included in other community activities.

And though I kept busy with my work and involvement in my communities, it is not my legacy. My legacy lives in the eyes of my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

As hard as it is to leave them, I am filled with pride in who they are, all that they have become and the individual gifts they bring to the world. As I prepared for my departure from this Earth, my Creator gifted me the opportunity to express my most sincere wish for them: Be grateful and live rich lives.

I am survived by my wife Marlyn, of 63 years and my children, Michael (Susan) of Bismarck, David (Peggy) of Bismarck, Pamela (Bob) of Hazen, Patricia (Gary) of New Hope, MN, and my sister Darlene Grimm (Dennis) of Hazen, as well as 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. I am preceded in death by my parents Earl and Grace (Shern), my brothers Ed and Glen, my sister Edna and two brothers-in-law Darwyn Roe and August Eslinger.

My service will be held (with gusto, at my request) on Tuesday May 9, 2017 at 10:30 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garrison ND. In lieu of flowers, I would like memorials directed to the Garrison Firemen's Museum, Camp of the Cross, or St. Paul Lutheran Church. Burial will take place at 2:00 pm at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Please remember to do a random act of kindness today.

Don