Lawrence Zimmerman

1916 - 2014

Zimmerman, Lawrence A.

Lawrence Zimmerman went to his eternal home on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. He died at his residence (The Renaissance) after a short bout with bone cancer.

Lawrence was born 11-07-1916 to Katherine (Schultz) and William Zimmerman at home in Rudolph, Wisconsin. There he grew up with his three brothers and seven sisters and remained at home working on the farm until he got his first job at Consolidated Papers Inc-Biron Division . In 1939 he met and married Gwendolyn Wipperman. Their son Ronald was born in1941. In 1942, Lawrence enlisted in the United States Army and volunteered to serve in World War II, where he was given the life-long nickname of Dutch. He was taken prisoner of war in 1944 and was held captive until the end of the war in 1945. After returning to Consolidated Papers Inc- Biron Division, he and Gwen gave birth to another son, Gregory John who died shortly after birth in 1951. His wife Gwen died in 1971.

In 1972, he met and married Margaret Behrend. He retired in 1978, which allowed him and Marge to travel extensively. He also was very blessed to be adopted into the Behrend family by Marge's two daughters, Kathy and Sharon. In 2006, Lawrence and his sister Ann wrote a book about his Prisoner of War experience titled, "Take No Prisoners." He was a charter member of the American Legion's branch in Rudolph; long standing member of S.S. Peter and Paul; and special friend of Sr. Angelica.

Lawrence is survived by his children: Ronald (Sally) Zimmerman, Kathy (Victor) Kopacz and Sharon Behrend. He is further survived by grandchildren Kristofer (Clare) Zimmerman, Stacey (Erik) Groll, Kurt (Jeani) Kopacz, and Krista (Bill) Zubke, and nine great grandchildren: Kayleigh and Callum Zimmerman, Bryanna Groll, Elizabeth Spallinger, Cameron and Abigayle Kopacz, Alissa, Emma, and Evan Zubke; and one great-great grandson, Cade Spallinger. Lawrence is also survived by one brother Robert, three sisters Mary Agnes (Melvin) Van Ert, Florence (Glen) Riebenstorf, and Celia (Dick) Lewis. Larry was preceded in death by his wife Gwendolyn, infant son Gregory, grandson Erik, his wife Margaret, brothers George and William, sisters Elizabeth, Frances (George) Carlson, Ann (Don) Bell, and Margaret (Ralph) Anderson.

Funeral services for Lawrence Adam Zimmerman will be on Monday, December 1st at St. Peter and Paul Church, Father Jim Altman presiding. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Mass will be at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids with military rites provided by American Legion Post #485 of Rudolph, WI.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice or American Legion Post Number 485 in Rudolph.

A special thank you to the staff of The Renaissance who took such good care of Lawrence, and to the Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice staff who cared for him at the end of his life.