Frederick M. Zimmerman

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Frederick “Fritzie” M. Zimmerman, 76, of the Town of Pella, passed away at his home Thursday morning, April 8, 2021.

Frederick Michael Zimmerman was born April 19, 1944, in Pella as the son of the late William and Hildegard (Fredrick) Zimmerman. He graduated from Marion High School in 1962 and was united in marriage to Marsha Ankerson on Dec. 15, 1963. The couple briefly moved to the Milwaukee area where Fritzie worked as a drywaller, and then moved back to run the Zimmerman family farm in Pella.

The couple raised their three children, and Fritzie worked with Town & Country Drywall while still continuing the farm for a number of years. He and Marsha opened Fritzie’s Bar in Pella. They divorced, and Marsha continued to operate the bar. He then began working for Appleton Lathing and retired in 2006.

Fritzie was united in marriage to Esther Halverson on May 6, 2000. The couple spent many happy years together, and Esther preceded her husband in death on June 9, 2012. He was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pella. Fritzie’s passion was working in his sawmill. He also spent time doing field work for the goat farm that he shared with his stepson, Shawn.

He enjoyed going to Hopper’s Bar to watch the Packers games and play pool and also enjoyed spending time outdoors cutting firewood and hunting (bow hunting with his “shot gun”). Fritzie rarely turned down a good game of sheephead or cribbage, was the king of one-liners, and could really sling the BS. Always one his family could depend on, he will certainly be missed and remembered for his quirky laugh and quick wit.

Survivors include his children, Fred “Hopper” (Tammy Adams) Zimmerman Jr., Terri Jo (Terry) Kust and Jason (Kim Anker) Zimmerman; stepson, Shawn (Jenny) Boydston; grandchildren, Trista (Johnny) Van Allen, Nicole (Al) Beyersdorf, Jake (Heather) Zimmerman, Zach (Kimmie Petrich) Zimmerman, Alex Zimmerman, Jordan (Lindsey) Kust, Jared Kust, Jessica (Kyle Kettenhoven) Kust, Hailey Zimmerman, Courtney Keller and Camery Anker; step-grandchildren, Jedidiah Obrion, Jasmine (Rob) Delvaux and Devany (Martell) Rice; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Sawyer, and Grady Van Allen, Kara and Kendall Beyersdorf, and baby Zimmerman on the way; siblings, Elmer Zimmerman, Betty Christianson, Lorraine Lohrentz, Sally (Jim Zeman) Peterson, Nancy Laude and Bill Zimmerman; brother-in-law, Arnold Kutchenriter; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Fritzie was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Esther; siblings, Janet (Ferd Zinert) and (Leroy) Romberg, Mary (Denver) Firgens, John (Mary) Zimmerman, Ruth Kutchenriter and Dorothy (Al) Bowan; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Pat Zimmerman, Walter Lohrentz, Marshall Peterson, Ron Laude Sr., Kathy Zimmerman and Roy Christianson.

A memorial service will be held for Fritzie on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pella with the Rev. Timothy Lofgren officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 4-7 p.m. and again at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will take place at the church cemetery and a meal and celebration of Fritzie’s life will follow at Hopper’s Bar Shed in Pella.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Caroline Lions Club.

His family would like to thank the staff of ThedaCare at Home Hospice and the Bellin Cancer Team for all of their care and support.

The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting his family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com

A famous quote from Fritzie, “If I was half as good as you, I’d be God.”

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