Elmer Zimmermann, 86, Dickinson formerly of Hettinger, died with his strong faith guiding him peacefully home Monday, September 5, 2016 at the West River Health Services, Hettinger. Elmer’s funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 9, 2016 at the Hettinger Lutheran Church, with Pastor Charlotte Kvale officiating. Interment will follow at the Hettinger Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the church, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Elmer Zimmermann was born July 21, 1930 in Hettinger to Manuel and Freda (Fliehmann) Zimmermann. He grow up on the family farm north of Hettinger and was the second oldest of five children. He attended Hettinger Public School and graduated in 1949, following graduation he pursued his dream to Mason City, Iowa to attend the Reisch World Wide Collage of Auctioneering. After receiving his degree Elmer came back to Hettinger were he then married the love of his life Carol Ann Powell on April 6, 1951.
At the young age of 20 years old he took over his in-laws, Earl and Angeline Powell’s homested and started his business West River Auction Service which he took much enjoyment and great pride in. For the next several years Elmer and Carol Ann worked hard side by side before having their son Mark, and seven years later they adopted their daughter Nancy. Through his dedication to the farm Elmer won the Soil Conservation award in Adams County. He also served 15 years on the Mott Equity board along with serving on the Adams ASC County Committee and was extremely involved in Richland Lutheran Church were he taught Sunday School and served as board president for a number of years.
In 2000 they retired from the farm and moved into Hettinger. Elmer’s time was spent doing what he loved which included singing, working on restoring old International tractors, going for coffee at Cenex with all his close friends. As many knew, Elmer had the gift to gab and enjoyed it tremendously. Elmer’s biggest passion was spending time with his grandkids which included many hours of traveling to watch their sporting events were he was always their biggest fan, he was so proud of the adults they’ve grown up to become. Throughout Elmer’s life his greatest pride was his wife Carol Ann, and having just celebrated 65 years together.
In May 2015 Elmer and Carol Ann made the difficult decision of moving out of their community/home to Dickinson where their daughter and grandkids live.
Elmer is survived by his wife Carol Ann, Dickinson; son Mark (Marsha) Zimmermann, Hettinger; daughter Nancy (Wayne) Yates, Dickinson; grandkids Dustin (Casey) Yates, Cincinnati, Ohio, Ryan Yates, Lexy Yates (Devon Wandler), Dickinson, Amy (Greg) Beck, Dickinson, Leandra Smith, Selby, S.D.; great-grandkids Liam Ridge Yates, Tucker and Cassie Beck and Tripp Smith; brother Henry (Minetta) Zimmermann, Hettinger; sister Anita (John) Mansfield, Minneapolis, Minn.; sister-in-law Lois Zimmermann, Wash. and numerous nieces and nephews.
Elmer is preceded in death by parents; in-laws; brothers Chris (Hazel) and Rueben Zimmermann; brother-in-law Marvin Mansfield.
