Myrle "Red" Zimmerman
Oshkosh, WI

Born December 12, 1925, in Oshkosh, WI to B.F. and Linda Zimmerman, Red passed away on September 30, 2010, at the age of 84. Red graduated from Winneconne High School in 1944 where he was a standout football and basketball player. On July 24, 1948, Red married his high school sweetheart Ila Mae Wentzel. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage living in Winneconne and Oshkosh while wintering in Palm Desert, CA.
The Zimmerman family started dairy farming in the Town of Winneconne in 1938. In 1951 Red became a partner in Zimmerman Mink Ranch with his father and brother, Ralph "Waddy" Zimmerman. He served as General Manager and Operator until retirement in 1996. Red founded and was president of Zimmerman Mink Foods, Inc., 1965-1980. In addition, he was one of 15 founders of Silver Moon Processors, Inc., New Holstein, WI, a processor of mink pelts. Red was elected a director to EMBA Mink Breeders Assoc. 1960-1985, serving as advertising and marketing chairman and president. During his tenure Red was instrumental in EMBA's purchase of the Seattle Fur Exchange and Minneapolis Fur Exchange auction houses and was a director for both. Red was elected to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the National Board of Fur Farms 1965-1985, serving as president in 1969, 1970, and 1971. President Nixon appointed him to the U.S. Advisory Board for International Trade. He was subsequently reappointed by Presidents Ford and Carter.
Red was a director and founder of Western State Bank, Oshkosh in 1965, now Associated Bank. He served on the Mercy Medical Center Board and was a former member of Winneconne Masonic Lodge 187, Winneconne Businessmen's Assoc. (past president), Winneconne Rotary Club (founder), Ducks Unlimited, Oshkosh Elks, and Oshkosh Men's Card Club.
Golf was Red's passion. He never turned down an opportunity to play and his daughters were weaned on golf clubs. He was a former member of the Oshkosh Country Club, serving as director and club president. An OCC club champion, over his golfing "career" Red had six holes-in-one around the country. In addition, Red was a former member of Ridgeway Country Club in Neenah, WI. He was active in the Northeast Wisconsin Golf Assoc. He served as director for the Wisconsin State Senior Golf Assoc., and was president in 2003-2004. In addition, Red was an avid hunter and long time Packer and Badger fan. He was a loving, caring husband and father yet always had to do things "his" way.
Red was a long time member and former elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Winneconne.
Red is survived by his wife, Ila; three daughters and their spouses: Julie (Thomas) Beck, Sobieski, WI; Lori (John) Meyerhofer, Palm Desert, CA; Kay (Jeffrey) Larson, Rancho Mirage, CA. Further survived by grandchildren: Matthew (Jennifer), Mark, Michael, and Madison Beck; Anna and Nadia Meyerhofer; Jagr and Jett Larson; one great -grandchild, Jackson Beck; brothers, Elmer "Mike" (Enid) Zimmerman, and Orville "OB" (Mary Catherine) Zimmerman; sister-in-law Barbara Zimmerman; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Linda; brother, Ralph "Waddy" Zimmerman; sister and brother-in-law, Verla and LeRoy Eckstein; nephew, John Zimmerman; and granddaughter, Mackensie Beck.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 9, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home, Winneconne, with Pastor Mara Rivera officiating. A Visitation for family and friends will be on Saturday at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service.
The Zimmerman family wishes to thank Pastor Mara, relatives, and friends for their support and guidance. Special appreciation is given to the staff, nurses, and aides at Omro Care Center for their loving, compassionate, care during Red's short stay.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent in Red's name to the First Presbyterian Church in Winneconne.

Mueller Funeral Home
904 E. Main St. P.O. Box 250
Winneconne, WI 54986
(920) 582-4242
Please submit online condolences to
www.muellerfuneralhomeinc.com