Clarence Zimmerman, age 87, of Cambridge died May 1, 2018 peacefully at home. Funeral service 10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 5th at Strike Life Tributes in Cambridge with visitation one hour prior to the service and from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Friday, May 4th also at Strike Life Tributes in Cambridge. Interment will be in Cambridge Union Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Cambridge American Legion.
Clarence Zimmerman was born March 24, 1931 to Jacob and Amelia (Landseidel) Zimmerman in rural McIntosh County, North Dakota. He grew up on a farm Northeast of Ashley and attended country school to the 8th grade. Clarence married Morna Wehrenberg in 1951. He was drafted into the US Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War. After he was discharged from the Army in 1953 they moved to Virginia, Minnesota where Clarence worked in construction as a laborer. Later, they moved to Cambridge with their six children and bought a hobby farm. On June 4, 1977 he married Eleane DeLange. He was a union iron worker for Local 512 for 17 years, retiring in 1993.
Clarence loved to hunt and taught many relatives and friends the same love of hunting. He started his children fishing at a very young age at Lake Vermillion, and in the later years he went ice fishing with family and friends. He and Eleane, also enjoyed travelling, hunting and fishing together. Clarence was known for his sweetcorn. He grew 5 acres of corn and would sell it on the side of Highway 65, known as Zimmerman’s sweet, sweet corn. He loved to garden many kinds of vegetables and was always sharing with friends and family when they stopped by. It was said that if you were a friend, you were made to feel like family. Clarence loved playing in a band and sharing music with his family.
One of Clarence’s greatest loves was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved having them over for family get-togethers and BBQ’s. He always took time to have a special bond with each child and their interests.
Clarence’s Visiting Angels and Allina Hospice Team – lovingly referred to as “His Girls” became a part of the family for Clarence and he appreciated all they did for him. His daughter, Cindy and her husband, Kevin moved out to the house, making it possible for him to stay at home. Clarence had a faith in Jesus and will be joining his family members in Heaven.
Clarence died May 1, 2018 peacefully at home at the age of 87 years, 1 month and 7 days. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his wives, Morna and Eleane; son, Steven; sister, Maggie; brother, Ervin, an infant brother; step-daughter, Linda Dyer; and son-in-law, Donald Shelton.
Clarence is survived by his children, Jane Shelton, Audrey (Neil) Drury, Jeanette (Raymond) Polzin, Debra Keller (Gene), Cindy (Kevin) Lind-Livingston; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sisters, Levern Wagemann, Eva Schlepp both of Ashley, ND, Della (Duane) Mullner of Aberdeen, SD, Mary Wagner of Lead, SD, Diane (Michael) Ritchie of Clemonts, CA; brother, Hugo Zimmerman of Ashley, ND; and many other relatives and friends.