DePaul Robert Zimmerman
June 01, 1936 - November 29, 2022
Obituary
DEFOREST - DePaul R. Zimmerman, age 86, of DeForest, Wis., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. He was born on June 1, 1936, in Canby, Minn., the son of Thomas and Rita (Willette) Zimmerman. His family moved to Blue Earth, Minn., in 1939. He graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1954. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1959, where he served as a Sonarman 3rd Class before being honorably discharged. He then attended Mankato State College until accepting a position with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1962.
He found his passion in sales and quickly advanced his career during his 37-year tenure at the company. He started out as a Retail Sales Manager, transferred to District Sales Manager and then on to a District Sales & Marketing Manager before he moved into the corporate Akron office in 1995 to help set up their new customer sales and service. In 1989, he received an award for being the Top District Sales Manager in the country. He was very dedicated to his career and was proud of his accomplishments. He retired at the end of 1999 and relocated to Sun Lakes, Ariz., in 2001 before later moving to Wisconsin in 2017.
He married Barbara Ballinger in 1963. They had their first daughter, Lori, in 1964, and then Tracey, in 1966. Throughout his life he enjoyed traveling, hunting and fishing, as well as having an avid interest in the theatre and arts.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Rita Zimmerman; brother, Darrel Zimmerman and wife, Jan; sister, Vivian Pfaffinger and husband, Otto; son-in-law, Thomas Furan; and nephew, Jim Zimmerman. He is survived by his daughters, Lori Zimmerman, Tracey Furan; and his grandson, Jacob Furan.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Legacy of DeForest and Agrace HospiceCare for their care and compassion.
A private family burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Blue Earth. Memorials can be sent directly to your local hospice or Alzheimer's Society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761