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Robert "Bob" Zimmer • 1927 - 2010 Bob was born August 30, 1927 to Frank and Catherine (Berg) Zimmer in Waite Park, Minnesota. He grew up in Waite Park and attended and graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School in 1945. During high school, he worked in the Great Northern car shop in St. Cloud. He enlisted in the Navy July 10, 1945 and served as Fireman First Class in the Pacific theater during the end of WWII. He received an honorable discharge August 16, 1946 and returned to St. Cloud. He then worked as a mechanic at Megarry Buick garage until 1950, when he was hired by the Great Northern Railroad as a signal draftsman. Bob once said that 1950 was a very good year for him – he started working for the railroad and November 25th of the same year, he married Donna (Gottwald), with whom he shared 60 years of his life. They started their family in 1951 with a daughter Brenda and two years later another daughter Dianne was born. Soon after, they moved to White Bear Lake, Minnesota where Bob worked in the St. Paul office. In 1958, their daughter karen was born. In 1965, Bob was offered the position of Signal Supervisor, and they transferred to Minot, North Dakota. In 1968, their family was completed with a son, Jim. Bob retired in 1982. He enjoyed his retirement years fishing, hunting and camping. Bob was fond of traveling, and he and Donna visited most of the states, many areas of Canada, and they also took a trip to Europe. Bob was a member of the Eagles, The American Legion, the Kiwanis, the Moose and of NARVE (National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees). Bob also liked woodworking, and every grandchild enjoyed a ride on his rocking horses. Another favorite pastime for Bob was gardening. In the spring, he was always willing to help his children till and plant their gardens after he had prepared his own. He was very proud of all his children and grandchildren. Survived by: His loving family: his wife of 60 years, Donna, Minot; daughters: Brenda Hilgers, Bottineau; Dianne (Dave) Cramer, Garrison; karen Bauer (Marc Heidt), Mandan; son: Jim (Joan) Zimmer, Minot; grandchildren: Autumn Engelstad, Beau Hilgers, Tori Hill, Birch Hilgers, Andrew Cramer, Elizabeth Cramer, Mitchell Bauer, Conrad Bauer, Daniel Bauer; step-grandchildren: Lesley Entzel, Chad Leier, Dustin Leier, Nathan Leier; and eight great-grandchildren Sister: Joanne (Ray) McCluskey, Grafton, Wisconsin Special friends: his many compassionate caregivers Preceded in death by Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, December 13, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot Vigil Prayer Service: Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot Burial: The North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan, ND on Monday at 3:00 p.m. Memorials are preferred.
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Robert “Bob” Zimmer, 83, Minot, ND, died Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at his home.