Billy Zimmerman

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Billy Arlen Zimmerman was born on July 21, 1935, to William Aaron and Arlene Carlotta (Webert) Zimmerman in Ireton, Iowa. The oldest of six children, Billy grew up in Hawarden, Iowa. He began a career at JCPenney’s Stores while in High School and worked there until his retirement in 1996.

Billy married Grace Martha Baker in October of 1957. They lived in Hawarden and Le Mars, Iowa and Fairmont, MN. Upon retirement, he and Grace wintered in Phoenix, AZ. Grace died in 1999.

Billy married Rose Marie Lackmann during the summer of 2000. They made their home in Detroit Lakes, MN, spending the winter months in Phoenix, AZ. From this marriage, Billy gained a family of children and grandchildren. Rosie passed away in June of 2005.

In June of 2007, Bill married Dorthy Grace Kirkpatrick and added another stepson and daughter-in-law to his family. They enjoyed the life of snowbirds in Phoenix and their summers were spent socializing with family and friends in Detroit Lakes, MN and Aurora, SD. They moved to the Linden in 2021 at Eventide in Moorhead, MN. Dorthy passed away in April of 2022.

Billy made friends quickly wherever he was. Whether bowling, fishing, golfing, playing cards, eating ice cream with his great-grandkids, or heading to dinner at the Linden, he was always surrounded by lovely people. Those around him felt seen, loved and appreciated. His joy was infectious, continually enriching the lives of those around him.

Billy will be remembered for his kind heart, his gentle nature, and his love for his family and friends. His empathy for others was remarkable. He knew how to cheer you up, how to tell a joke, and how to say what he meant. But perhaps Bill’s most remarkable quality was his ability to listen and to listen well. We can all learn from the example he set. He was charming. He was generous. He was wise. And he was truly a good man, living with purpose and integrity. He believed in equity, fairness and truth. He believed in Jesus. And he believed Jesus was synonymous with these things. His life is reflected in two of his favorite lines- ‘Everyday’s a Holiday’ and ‘It will all work out’.

Bill was a member of the Air National Guard for several years, a member of the Lions Club and was an active member of Cormorant Lutheran Church.

Billy is survived by his sisters, Patricia “Pat” (Mark) De Sutter, and Karon (Chuck) Tiltrum; stepson and daughter in law, Kurt and Deb Lackmann; stepdaughter, Kathy Lackmann; stepson and daughter in law, Ken and Anna Kirkpatrick; grandchildren, Alec (Ewelina) Lackmann, Mollie (Michael) Moen, Jeffrey (Ellie) Lackmann; great- grandchildren, Mac, Milo and Matteo Moen; along with many nieces and nephews.

Billy is preceded in death by his parents, William and Arlene Zimmerman; his 1st wife, Grace Zimmerman, 2nd wife, Rosie Zimmerman and 3rd wife, Dorthy Zimmerman; and his sisters, Janice (Richard) Hamilton, Marilyn Zimmerman and Sharon (John) Schmitz. He died at his home at the Linden at Eventide in Moorhead, MN on August 9th, 2025. He will be greatly missed.

“The measure of a man is not the number of servants he has, but the number of people he serves”

- Anonymous

Memorial contributions can be directed to Ethos Hospice at: 3361 45th St S Suite 100, Fargo, ND 58104 and Cormorant Lutheran Church at: 14314 Co Hwy 4, Lake Park, MN 56554.

Funeral services for Billy will be 1:00 PM, Monday, August 18, 2025, at Cormorant Lutheran Church in Cormorant with Rev. Gregory Isaacson officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the funeral service.

Burial service will be 1:00 PM, Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Alcester, SD.