Obituary of Earl Richard Zimmerman
Earl Richard Zimmerman
(December 11, 1924 - January 27, 2024)
On Saturday, January 27, 2024, Earl Richard Zimmerman of Camrose, formally of Kelsey, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 99.
Earl was born at the home of his parents Arthur and Carrie Zimmerman in Kelsey, Alberta on December 11, 1924, after his twin brother Mearl. He attended school in Kelsey and Vermillion School of Agriculture, graduating in 1947.
Earl joined his brothers Paul, Gerald and Mearl farming in the Kelsey area.
His parents took the family on many trips to the United States which could be where he got his traveling bug from.
On October 21, 1952, he married Hilda Bakke, of Rosalind and they traveled to Windsor, Ontario to pick up a new car on their honeymoon. They visited Niagara Falls.
Together, Hilda and Earl raised five children Blayne, Sharlyn, Laureen, Kevin and Craig.
Hilda and Earl celebrated their 25th anniversary with a big party and dance at the Heatherbrae Hall and went to Hawaii with Gordon and Curly Domes.
All three of Earls’ sons joined the Zimmerman farming operation.
In 1983, Earl and Hilda took a bus trip to Yuma, Arizona and came home with Ed and Tiny Baumle. Then in 1985, they bought a motorhome and started going south in the winter.
Earl and Hilda retired from farming and moved to Camrose in 1986.
Through the years, Earl and Hilda enjoyed lots of traveling going to dances, playing cards and visiting with neighbors and friends. Lots of fishing and camping with family and friends.
Hilda developed cancer and passed away in May of 1992.
In 1993, Earl started traveling with RHY/ROS Travel and has been on several trips with them. Then in 1995, Earl went on a cruise with Floyd Wannop through the Panama Canal.
In May of 2000 Earl had quadruple bypass surgery. He continued to play pool and go out for coffee, enjoying each day.
Earl was an active member of the Thrift Shop in Camrose and was also a regular blood donor.
Left to cherish his memory are his children Blayne (Donna) Zimmerman of Vernon, B.C., Sharlyn Tollefson of Edmonton, Laureen (Dwayne) Larson of Shiningbank Lake, Kevin (Kim) Zimmerman of Kelsey, and Craig (Charmaine) Zimmerman of Kelsey; plus twelve grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and sister Glenna Adams.
Earl was predeceased by his wife Hilda; infant daughter Trudy Lee; grandson Warren Zimmerman; and siblings Clarence, Edna, Cleda, Paul, Nettie, Gerald and Mearl.
A Funeral Service was held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 14, 2024 from the CityLights Church, 4920 48 Street Camrose officiated by Rev. Brian Hunter. The service was livestreamed and can be viewed at the following link: CityLights Church.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Earl's memory may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society or to Alberta Cancer Foundation.
