Donovan "Don" W. Zimmerman

Donovan "Don" W. Zimmerman, age 95 of La Crosse, passed away on Monday, December 23, 2024 at Mayo Clinic in La Crosse. He was born September 10, 1929 to the late Werner and Mabel (Dreier) Zimmerman in Norwalk, WI. 

In his younger years, he worked at Uncle Ed’s farm and delivered milk in town driving a horse-drawn wagon. He graduated from Norwalk High School, class of 1947, lettering in basketball #5. His first job was dusting furniture at Doerflingers then worked at Trane Company for 42 years, retiring in 1990. He was also a member of the 25-year club. While working at Trane, he met the love of his life, Janice Magnuson. She was the “cute office girl”. They married and spent 37 years together before her unexpected death on Jan. 3, 1989.

Don proudly served his country in the US Army 31st Infantry Division Artillery during the Korean War Conflict from 1951-1953 as a PFC. On May 7, 2016, Don and his guardian, Dave Collins, went on the Freedom Honor Flight. Don also proudly served as a Boy Scout Leader for Troop 2 French Island. Many of the boys thought of him as a “2nd Dad”. Don achieved the Order of Arrow.

Don enjoyed road tripping out west to the national parks, visiting extended family (Jacobsons) in Missoula, Montana, especially one memorable trip with his daughter in 1995 to Alaska. He spent many summers and falls in Chetek, WI making lifelong memories with family, especially sun deck shenanigans. Now, the “old timers” are all together again. 

He dedicated time raising show pigeons (tumblers), traveling to many states for shows. From 1983-1990, Don was the champion. He was well known for “Don’s Leisure Loft”.

In his recent years, he loved daily road trips, watching his great-grandson follow in his basketball footsteps. Above all, family meant everything to Don.

He is survived by his children: son, Gary Zimmerman of Sparta(daughter-in-law Sue of Whitehall); daughter, Sharon Zimmerman of La Crosse; granddaughters: Melissa (Kyle) Guralski of Sparta, Rebecca (Sam) Brown of Sparta, Emily Zimmerman of Baraboo; great-grandchildren, Winston, Jackson, Allison, and Franklin; cousins: Barbara Kopplin of Eau Claire, Glen (Donna) Dreier of Norwalk, Marilyn (Bob) Feldbruegge of Menomonee Falls; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his dear friends: Dave and Sonia Collins and Dave and Donna Hahn.

Don was preceded in death by his loving wife, Janice; parents Werner and Mabel Zimmerman; in-laws Ben and Ruth Magnuson; sister Eleanor (Don) Karis; brother Eugene (Belva) Zimmerman; brother-in-law Ira (Marilyn) Denson; nephew Doug Karis; and niece Jane Erpenbach.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 4-7pm at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, La Crosse and from 10-11am on Friday January 3rd at Holmen Lutheran Church. The funeral service will follow on Friday at 11am at the church. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Holmen Lutheran Church (www.holmenluth.org) or to Freedom Honor Flight (www.freedomhonorflight.org/donate) in memory of Don.