A loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, Linda Jean Zimmerman, 75, of Rhinelander, passed away unexpectedly on March 8, 2023 at her home.
Linda was born to Harold Miller and Rosemary (Mortenson) Miller on Aug. 9, 1947 in Green Bay. She graduated from Wausau Senior High in 1965 and started working at Employers Mutual in Wausau. Soon after, Linda met her future husband, Gary Zimmerman. Gary and Linda shared a love for camping, fishing and spending time in the great outdoors. They married in Merrill and later relocated to Marquette, Mich. while Gary was serving in the Air Force. After his service, they found their way to Clintonville, where they were blessed with their son, Brian. The family then relocated to Green Bay where they lived for 30 years.
In Linda's retirement her dream was to live at the lake, enjoying the lake with her family - fishing, boat rides, teaching her grandkids how to swim, enjoying the hummingbirds on her deck, and working on various craft projects with her mother Rosemary. Linda took great pride in her grandchildren and there is nothing she would not do for them.
Linda always had a passion to give back to her community. Whether it was at the American Red Cross teaching CPR, providing swim lessons at the YMCA, or volunteering at the election booths she was always there ready to serve and help those around her. She even set a record with her number of blood donations at the American Red Cross.
Linda was passionate about sharing her love of our Lord with others and was an integral part of the Bethany United Methodist Church of Ashwaubenon and First United Methodist Church of Rhinelander. A loyal servant to God, Linda spent many hours dedicated to whatever was needed at the church, by providing the liturgy and scripture readings and being one of the first to volunteer. She thoroughly enjoyed having coffee time each week with her fellow parishioners and attending other events at the church including the annual Thanksgiving supper. One of Linda's greatest passions within the church was serving on the board of the Personal Essential Pantry (PEP) in Rhinelander. Linda spent many days planning, picking up supplies, and working PEP.
Linda is survived by her husband Gary, her mother Rosemary Neely, son Brian (Nicole) Zimmerman, grandchildren Maxwell and Alison, sister Barbara Krause, step-siblings: Marille Poole, William Neely, Shirley Goddard, Linda Lawson, Anita Woods, Tom Neely; along with numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded into death by her father Harold Miller, brothers Kenneth Miller and Bradley Miller, and stepfather William Neely.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to PEP at the First United Methodist Church in Rhinelander or the Green Bay YMCA to support kids learning how to swim, in honor of Linda Zimmerman.
Visitation for Linda will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 from 9 to 11 a.m. with memorial services following at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Rhinelander. Reverend Mark Klaisner will be officiating. You may leave your private condolences for the Zimmerman family at www.carlsonfh.com.
The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the Zimmerman family.
The Northwoods River News | Walker Communications, LLC 232 S. Courtney Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501 | Office (715) 365-6397 | Fax (715) 365-6361
Corporate billing office: The Lakeland Times / Lakeland Printing Inc. | P.O. Box 790, Minocqua, WI 54548 | (715) 356-5236 | Fax (715) 358-2121 Members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, Wisconsin Community Papers, Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce, Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce
