Merle Walter Zimmerman

Merle Walter Zimmerman

June 23, 1930 - April 06, 2023

Obituary

MONONA - Merle Walter Zimmerman, age 92, of Monona, passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on June 23, 1930, in Reedsburg, Wis., the son of Walter and Mabel (Hinrichs) Zimmerman.


Merle served in the U.S. Naval Construction Force (NCF) Seabees from 1952 to 1954.  He went on to graduate from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He married Delores Hasse on Sept. 16, 1961, in Reedsburg, Wis.  He was co-owner of W.O. Zimmerman Plumbing and Heating with his father and brother, until retiring in 1996.


He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Madison, and ASHRAE.  Merle was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America, earning several awards including Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver, and Lamb Award.  Merle enjoyed serving as a volunteer EMT for Monona Fire and Rescue.


Merle is survived by his wife, Delores; daughter, Anna M. (Steven) Dreger; son, Aaron M. (Karen) Zimmerman; grandchildren, Sophie R. and Peter A. Zimmerman; sister, Lettie M. (John Bullis) Zimmerman; three nephews; three great-nieces; and one great-nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Mabel; and brothers, David R., Elliot “Mark” and Lloyd G. Zimmerman.


A memorial service will be held at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Burial will be private at Roselawn Memorial Park.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday.


Memorials may be made to Boy Scouts - Glacier’s Edge Council, or St. John’s Lutheran Church, 322 E. Washington Ave., Madison. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420


Events

12
Visitation
Wed Apr 12, 2023 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
12
Memorial Service
Wed Apr 12, 2023 @ 12:15 PM CDT
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
No photos of Merle have been shared yet.
TW
Teresa Wagner
Other •
I am so sorry on your loss. Merle was a good guy I always looked forward to his hugs when I would come to church he was always at the front door waiting to open it. He always was smiling and I sure will miss him.
MG
Margit Gundlach
Other •
Dear Dee, Anna and Aaron Our memories of Merle are filled with joy. He and our daughter, Tatiana shared a birthday on June 23rd. It will always be a special day to us. We have enjoyed celebrating their day together. Dick and I loved Merle’s 90th birthday party especially! There was trouble in Ukraine after the Chornobyl disaster in 1986, but you reached out in 2005 to host Svetlana Khrapachevska who was a translator from Boyarka, Ukraine. For 6 weeks that summer, you wrapped her in your love. Through the years you kept asking about her welfare. She was always glad to know of your care especially at Christmas. I’ll always remember your friendship when you joined my daughter and me in the cardiac waiting room during Dick’s open heart surgery. You showed us such compassion on that difficult and long day. These are but a few memories of your beloved husband and dad. We will forever love him, this remarkable human.
DE
Danyell Eccleston
Other •
Anna & Steven, Sending our heartfelt condolences to you and your loved ones during this difficult time. Danyell & Andy Eccleston
LE
Lonnie A Ebneter
Other •
Rest in peace, Seabee, we have the watch now. God bless.
GS
Gary and Georgianna Stebnitz
Other •
Merle was the consummate gentleman. Kind and caring, always ready to lend a hand. Merle and his family have left a great legacy at St John’s Church. He served in every possible way at the church—council member and chair person, usher and greeter every Sunday at the door of the church. We will forever miss his smiling face. Our deepest sympathy to Dee and their families. Georgie and Gary Stebnitz

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