Alta Vista – Warren Lee Zimmerman was called home to heaven late Friday evening, May 25, 2018.
He was born May 6, 1931 on a farm 5 miles Northwest of Alta Vista, Kansas to Otto and Susanna Tobaben – Zimmerman on the Zimmerman homestead, the sixth of eight children.
Warren became a child of God by baptism on May 31, 1931 and again June 24, 1945, he reaffirmed his faith in Jesus Christ and received his Certificate of Confirmation from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Alta Vista, KS.
On May 26, 1945, he received his Elementary School Certificate and decided to stay home to help on the farm due to his father’s Ill health instead of furthering his education in high school.
The same month Warren turned seventeen, his father passed on, making him the bread winner for his mother and two younger brothers. He did this by farming the section of land that his father was renting and continued to do so until the death of his mother in 1959. After that he worked for Kenneth McDiffett as a mechanic in Alta Vista for a few years. Then he had the opportunity to work for Furney Construction as a Bulldozer Operator. In 1963, he struck out on his own and bought his first bulldozer, starting Zimmerman Construction. As a soil contractor he built many terraces, waterways, ponds and watershed dams among other things in the surrounding area for over 50 years. He was also a member of the Kansas Land Improvement Contractors Association for forty-five years. In addition to his work, he loved to farm as a hobby, which included raising cattle, hogs, grains, alfalfa and hay.
On June 16th 1962, Warren married Luella Mae Buchholz at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Manawa, Wisconsin. This union was blessed with two sons, Mitchell Warren Zimmerman and Mark Steven Zimmerman. Later on the joy of a grandson brought along Tyrell Wade Zimmerman. Other important family members are Kristina Lugo, Kinsey Rankin and Drake Moses.
Warren was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Opheila Falk; five brothers, Melvin, Everett, Harold, Harris and Lester Zimmerman. Brother and sister-in-laws, Lawrence Falk, Edna Zimmerman, Pat Zimmerman, Robert and Mildred Strum, Melvin and Joan Buchholz, Norman and Beatrice Buchholz, Gilbert and Betty Buchholz, and Robert Werth.
He is survived by his wife, Luella (Lou); sons, Mitchell and Mark; grandson, Tyrell Wade Zimmerman; brother Leroy Zimmerman, of Bend, OR; brother-in-law Arlyn Buchholz; sisters-in-law, Hazel Zimmerman, Virginia Zimmerman, Lillian Zimmerman, Betty Buchholz and La Verne Werth; and multiple nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Zeiner Funeral Home in Council Grove, KS, Thursday May 31, 2018 from 6pm-8pm.
Funeral services will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church in Council Grove, Friday June 1, 2018, at 10am; burial will follow at Templin Cemetery.
Lunch will be served at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alta Vista by Calvary Ladies following the committal to the grave service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church or Lutheran Hour Ministries. They may be sent in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.
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