ERNEST ZIMMERMAN

Ernest “Pat” Patrick Zimmerman, 93, of Neenah, WI, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.

Pat was born on a farm near California, Missouri, on July 2, 1925.  He was the seventh child of Rilliey & Caroline (Eicher) Zimmerman.  As a child he grew up in rural Missouri with many happy memories and stories which he shared with his family.  These included fishing and hunting with his brothers, farming with his father, building race cars for the local dirt track, and boating with his friends at Lake of the Ozarks.

Enlisting in the Navy during WWII, Pat was proud of his military service.  He volunteered to serve as a Corpsman and was attached to the 4th Marine Division.  He served his country bravely during the Battle of Iwo Jima where he was awarded a Purple Heart.

Pat's sister Katherine Zimmerman introduced him to his forever sweetheart, Bernice Bonack, and they were married on November 28, 1959. Together, with a lot of love and understanding, Pat and Bernice raised five children, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.  Pat's love for Bernice remained strong even after her death as he continued to share their love story.

Together Pat and Bernice loved traveling, their family, being members of the Nickel A Region Model A club and the Fox Valley Square Dance club.  He was also a member of Martin Luther Church, Neenah, WI and American Legion Post 33, Neenah.

Pat spent his career as a machinist with Allis Chalmers, retiring from AC Compressors in 1988. He was a skilled mechanic enjoying working on cars, tractors and farm equipment.  His love for cars included restoring his 1931 Ford Model A Roadster, the car he learned to drive in, with his grandson.   

His family will forever cherish memories of his sense of humor, witty remarks, mischievous smile, and his inexhaustible love for his family. Although he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, he is reunited with his beloved dance partner and forever sweetheart, Bernice.

Pat  is survived by his children: Brenda (Harold) Willems, Menasha, WI; Dawn Zimmerman, Neenah, WI; and Jean (Bob) Woelfel, Menasha, his step children Barbara Johnson, Oshkosh, WI; Daniel Prestridge, Las Vegas, NV; his grandchildren: Joel Gall; Amanda (Dave) Curtis; Shannon Prestridge (Kevin Hejmanowski); Sara (Al) Barbin; Kayla (Jake) Johnson; and Jacob Woelfel; great-grandchildren, Abigail Curtis, Claudia Barbin, A.J. Barbin, Veronica Hejmanowski, and Rowan Johnson.

Pat is preceded in death by his wife, Bernice, his parents, and his brothers and sisters: Gertrude (John) Ernst; William (Dorothy) Zimmerman); Henry “Hank” Zimmerman; Katherine (Carl) Knipker, Charles “Carly” (Eulalie) Zimmerman; Lula May (Richard) Peters, and Margaret (Mick) Scheidt.

A visitation for Pat will be held Sunday, July 22nd from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 6:30 pm.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 23, 2018, at Martin Luther Church, 436 S. Lake Street, Neenah, with Pastor Tyler Shinnick officiating.  Friends may call at the church beginning at 10:00 am until the time of service.   Internment with military honors will occur at Oak Hill Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.

The family would like to thank the staff of Heartland Hospice for their loving care and compassion during this difficult time.

Even though we cannot see you with our eyes or hear you with our ears, a part of you will remain with us forever.  The love, understanding, stubbornness and sassiness you have shown every day, lives within us and give us the strength to carry on.  We will think of all the happy times and ponder them in our hearts.  This we also know, we will meet again and never say good-bye.

We love you Dad and Grandpa

Mom and Dad – Forever Sweethearts – we are happy you are walking the road together again.