Leroy W Zimmerman

The Funeral Service for LeRoy Westley Zimmerman, 96, of Clarkfield, formerly of Granite Falls, will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Granite Falls.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. A private interment will take place at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.  Online condolences may be placed at www.sunsetfuneralassociation.com. Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family. LeRoy was born to George and Emma (Haeska) Zimmerman on May 12, 1923, in Sanborn.  He graduated from Sanborn High School in 1942 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in June of 1943.  A World War ll veteran, Corporal Technician Zimmerman would see two major battles, the Battle of the Bulge and Battle of Remagen.  A soldier of the 86th Infantry, he was awarded the American Theater Service, Good Conduct, European-African Eastern Theater, and Army of Occupation-Germany medals.  Upon his discharge, he returned to Sanborn, a town he would remain very fond of the rest of his life. At Sanborn’s Watermelon Days Celebration, LeRoy met his future wife, Norma Just.  They were married on June 17, 1949 and made their home in Granite Falls.  To this union, LeRoy and Norma were blessed with eight children. LeRoy worked primarily as a grocer, but also owned and operated Chippewa Bait and Tackle. Well known in the community, he was known to give kids more than enough minnows to fish with.  LeRoy was a long-time St. Paul Lutheran Church member.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, flower gardening, feeding birds and deer.  A baseball player who excelled at pitching, LeRoy’s favorite story was how he was scouted by the “Minneapolis Millers.”  He also loved airplanes and flying.  He especially loved his sweets and doing “daycare” for his four legged friend Mojo. LeRoy Zimmerman was called to his heavenly home on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at the Clarkfield Care Center in Clarkfield. LeRoy is survived by his seven daughters: Beth (Dennis) Brouwer, Barbara Sietsema, Laura (Kevin) Zimmer, Linda (Brad) Olson, Kristi (Michael) Doose, Tamra (Randy) Berends and Dee Zimmerman; 16 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; brother Virgil and sister-in-law Joyce and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.  He is preceded in death by his wife Norma; son Daniel; parents George and Emma; five brothers Frederick “Fred” (Grace), Herbert “Herb” (Leona), Robert “Bob” (Mayme), Clifford “Douglas,” Clinton, and sister Laura Eller. LeRoy and Norma will be laid to rest together at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery. Their memories will be forever cherished.