Frederick “Fritzie” M. Zimmerman, age 76 of the Town of Pella, Shawano County passed away at his home Thursday morning, April 8, 2021.
Frederick Michael Zimmerman was born on 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 December 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 life-long 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 Step-Son 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.
Step-Son: 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.
Also a 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) & (Leroy) Romberg, Mary (Denver) Firgens, John (Mary) Zimmerman, Ruth Kutchenriter, and Dorothy (Al) Bowan, and also 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 11am at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pella with Rev. Timothy Lofgren officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 4-7pm and again at the church on Saturday from 9am 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”