Joel Zimmerman

Mr Zimmerman, you should have been awarded a lifetime achievement award for your dedication to your students. I have fond memories of you as my teacher and I appreciate all you did for me as a child. A heartfelt thank you. It's not goodbye, it's see you in a blink. Love in Christ.

Don´t waste a moment to thank those who have encouraged and inspired you! Joel, or as I knew him in Bruderheim - Mr Zimmerman, was my teacher. He was the first and only one I ever remember encouraging me to write. He told me I could write. And whenever I begin a novel I think about him.

So I decided to do a search to see if I could find him and send a thank you. I found this page. Reach out to someone today!
Thank you Mr. Zimmerman.

Joel was the most kind gentle honest person I've ever know. I go back to when we were 12. Even then it was evident Joel was special. I think of him every time I think of the "Old Crew" and what a joy he was even after50 years. We have lost a great friend and confidant .

Anne, Brenda and I are so very sorry for your loss. Brenda has loving memories of Joel teaching her how to play tag football in grade 5 along with his kindness and patience. He has left far far to soon...he is no longer suffering and we’re sure he has left you many loving memories.

Joel, What can I say about Joel, There Would never be enough words ink or paper for what I could say about Joel because the list is endless. I don’t think I have ever met such a beautiful person a real person inside and out. Joel was one of those people that always put a smile on your face always put in a good word always asked how you were always willing to give and lend a helping hand and always made you feel welcomed. We have lost someone I feel that Joel has touched us, Each and everyone of us in so many different ways and he will be sorely missed forever. Thank you Joel for being a friend and touching my life. You are were and always will be one of a kind.

Our family is so blessed to have met Joel and AnnE a few years ago. Joel was always ready to help out. When Christopher wasn't comfortable playing Joseph in the children's Christmas pageant, I remember saying, "well if you don't then Joel's probably going to end up doing it." Sure enough, Joel stepped in and baby Owen/Jesus loved hanging out with him on stage.

As many others have written, I'll miss singing with Joel. What a great voice and a great male role model for my boys. Hugs to Pastor AnnE and all of your family. You are always on our hearts and minds.
Love, the Kublik Family

I was saddened to hear about Joel's passing. My heart goes out to you, AnnE, and your family. My memory goes to all the wonderful conversations we had with Joel back in the Holy Spirit days. I recall that if there ever was a need Joel would always be there for someone. May he rest in peace in the Lord's perfect room forever.

AnnE and family, I extend my deepest sympathies. Today, I remember how dedicated Joel was to his family. I remember his deep faith, his great sense of humour, and his provision of Timbits to all!

May Joel rest in peace and our Lord comfort you, pastor AnnE and your loved ones, as you move through your journey of grief. God Bless
Don & Joan

My letter to Joel March 10 2021
Joel,
Hi
I would rather talk in person. But given the state of the world.. I guess we are relegated to emails and texts.
As guys we normally express our friendship by giving each other a hard time about a character flaw or some other meaningless detail Perhaps we do not realize all that kibitzing is really expressing a respect and caring for each other Because as guys we never really are able to come out and say I REALLY LIKE YOU YOU ARE A GREAT GUYWe just joke and tell stupid stories. And Joel you have given as a lot of storieslol
I would come home from the Phoenix golf trip and try to convey the essence of the Joel Zimmerman Experience to my wife Suzanne (the other March 3 birthday girl) but my attempts at the conveyance would fall flat.As the Joel Zimmerman Experience cannot be captured in words. Describing it is like trying to describe the taste of chocolate to someone who has never had chocolate A person needs to be fully immersed into the Joel Zimmerman Experience, only then can a person really appreciate the spontaneity of Joel and his DRY very quirky sense of humor which would take a normal every day situation and make it so fricking funny.
You are a very special soul. A genuine good egg and a hell of a nice guy You always make me laugh there has never been a time when we go golfing that I would not want to be sitting in Joel’s cart in fact it is the place to be if you want to have a laugh and smile the whole game through.
Here is where it gets hard as knowing you has being a pleasureso I cannot beat around the bushI prefer not saving my words for a funeral or memorial We are all going to the same spot eventually.. so letting you know those thoughts today seems right
I am crying my eyes out as I write this It seems so unfair that this terrible disease has taken you from the life you were enjoying I have only known you for a few years and I am so sad I cannot imagine how your family and close friends are dealing with the reality
How I wish that we could have sat together over the last few months and visited together. But alas that was not to be
Just know that I think of you every day and those thoughts are ALWAYS GOOD THOUGHTS. The sadness in my heart is a bittersweet as the only reason I am sad is I was given such JOY by knowing you . So that happiness leads to sadness by recognizing that one day you will be gone from this life and on to the next and we all will miss you so muchbut will also be happy because you are FREE from the disease
I love ya Brother til we meet again Rodd
= every meeting must end in a parting

We didn't have the opportunity to know Joel well but every time our paths crossed he smiled, called us by name, and treated us like friends.He had that special quality that made you wish you knew him better. Our love and prayers go out to Pastor AnnE, family, and friends who will miss him so much.

Taken way too young. Sending love to Anne, Sara, Will, Sonia and grandkids. I treasure the friendship we had when we were neighbours in Bruderheim.

Joel’s suffering on earth is done and he is safe in the arms of Jesus. My sincere condolences to you AnnE and your precious family. What a pleasure to have known Joel! I will remember his smile, his humour, his kindness, his honesty, and his beautiful singing voice. He will be greatly missed by our Lakeland Lutheran Church family.

I can not express how privileged I am to have known Joel and your whole family. You all reached out to me during my most challenging moments. Joel really did inspire us all to be better. Always kind, funny, and loving. Heaven is lucky to have him. We sure were. He was one of the best slow pitch softball pitchers for the church he served for many years... Holy Spirit Lutheran Church. We won a few titles.

As your body failed you, your strength shone like a beacon of hope.
As your brain betrayed you, your wisdom held us together.
As your life forever changed, you too changed us.
You faced the toughest trial any human could withstand in life, and showed us your grit and determination.
Your passion for life, and enthusiasm in the face of darkness and despair, stood as pillars for all of us to cling to.
You battled the hands of fate with a smile on your face.

Joel my friend, you are the true definition of the fighter and you gave it your all to the very end. As Denzel Washington famously said in the movie John Q: “It’s not goodbye. It’s see you later.”

I’m sure heaven has the best golf courses and walking trails ever. So while your busy doing those, take some time to look down upon us and keep watch. Because we are gonna some of that strength and guidance in moving forward.

Thank you for everything my friend. Till we meet again in paradise. Happy Trails.

So sad to hear about Joel’s passing. He was an amazing individual who gave love to everyone he met. We send our condolences to Pastor AnnE and their family. Our memories of Joel will last forever. It was a blessing to know him during our lifetime. We will miss Joel but know that God needed an angel in Heaven.
Love from Rod and Judy Soholt

In loving memory of a wonderful man. We have many fond memories of Joel - the Reformation trip, Pub Theology and listening to his incredible voice in song are just a few. Pastor AnnE and family, may the peace and love of the Lord comfort you at this difficult time. Bernie and Keith

Just knowing that Joel is at peace and resting in the arms of the Lord helps a little. I will miss golfing with him (he was so kind he never laughed at all my goof ups) I also used the cane he made for me and wear the cross he also made. Rest In Peace Joel and God bless you Pastor AnnE and family. He is greatly missed already.

Will always remember Joel for his kind and friendly nature. We worked together at Graminia Community School for many years and he was a true friend. God bless you and your family AnnE.

In rememberance of Joel

We are so sorry for your lose AnnE, may God be with you in these times of sorrow and grief.

It was such a Blessing to have Joel in our congregation . He was such a caring wonderful person . Always gave us a laugh at choir practice.. Our church will miss him dearly.

Joel touched so many people and I'm honored to be one of them. He was my sub teacher buddy and we went on many walks after his diagnosis. I wear the cross he gave me with pride, sorrow and love. He will be missed!

I will always remember his beautiful voice in song and each time I use my came I will think of those very talented hands that made it. God Bless

To AnnE and family, I am deeply saddened by your loss. Joel was great to be around. He could always make me laugh and that's how I will choose to honour him. I am one of his Arizona golfing buddies and I want to relate this: Joel loved to look for lost balls. When he hit it in the bush he would gleefully go in looking for his ball. Sometimes he would find it. Most of the time he would come out with a whole bunch of other golf balls. Often after yelling to him, "Joel, come on! We've got to pick up our pace of play!" I like to think that was the way he was with teaching; often looking for the lost ones, not that concerned about the ones in the fairway. Anyway, I will miss his stories, I will miss our music battles, I will miss his humour. But, I will keep them all with me, because they are part of me now. And, I will do what he asked us to do the last time that we saw him - I will carry on! Love you, Joel!

We will remember Joel with fond affection.

My sincere condolences on Joel's passing. He was a fellow classmate- a Ross Shep Grad of 1969. I believe I coached Peter in football a couple of years later. Joel guided me on my first real job as a Bell-Hop at the Corona Hotel in downtown Edmonton. I was immediately struck by his honesty, diligence, and attention to detail working in a formerly strict temperance hotel that had become one of the city's busiest bars and night spots. Working alongside us was Tom Goodchild who was to become a restauranteur of some renown in Edmonton. Joel always presented a good-natured, polite, and well-mannered disposition in spite of all the shenanigans and goings on at the Corona. He was always an excellent mentor and model for me throughout my working life as a teacher and school administrator. I offer my thoughts and prayers to all his family and friends.

AnnE and family. May all the joys you knew and shared help comfort you at this time of sorrow. We found Joel to be such a dear man, warm, giving and supportive to all. May Our Lord surround you with comfort in knowing that Joel is now at peace.

May God bless you AnnE and your wonderful family in this time of great sorrow. I will remember Joel for his bubbly personality, sense of humor and his knack of making people feel special. We will all miss him in the congregation of LLC. Distance hugs for you AnnE and your cherished family and sidekick Stubby.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time We will remember Joel as the kind man that he was. I will miss his voice at LLC..even tho I could not read the hymn I always looked forward to being seated in the row ahead of him and just listening. AnnE, cherish the memories. May God bless you and yours

My deepest and most sincere condolences to you Pastor AnnE and your beautiful family.

Dearest AnnE and family .. There really are no words that can adequately express our feelings of loss and there are absolutely no words that we can share to show you all how much we are saddened for you in having to say goodbye to Joel. He was a model “Christian Gentlemen “ who spread sunshine wherever he went and we are extremely grateful to have known him and to have had him In our lives ! Thank you for sharing this exemplary man ! Sending compassionate hugs ! Shirley and Jim.

Rest in peace Joel. Elise and I continue to pray for you and all who grieve your loss. May the Lord grant you favor and keep you in His peace.

I loved meeting Joel on our trips to AZ. The evenings when he would start playing music for us all and giving his own special "liner notes". He will be missed for his wit and knowledge. His friendship was infectious and unique. RIP

A humble humorous man who shared his gifts as freely as he shared his love.

Deepest sympathy to you AnnE and all your family. You are in our prayers.

Dear AnnE and Family,
We were so saddened to hear about Joel's passing. Our hearts go out to you AnnE and to your Family. Joel was a wonderful person with an amazing cheerful personality. I was truly privileged to have known him and also served on Holy Spirit Church Council with Joel over several terms throughout the years. He was always such a pleasure to be around and work alongside. I can still envision Joel in the choir loft every Sunday ready to belt out songs of praise. He was such a talented singer.

May God Bless you all and surround you all with his comfort and peace at this most difficult time.

Dick and Carol Frenz