Florian DuWayne Zimdars

Florian DuWayne Zimdars, age 97, of Ripon, WI, passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at his home in the Town of Metomen with his family by his side.

Florian was born on the family farm on August 25, 1926, son of Nelson and Elda (Daehn) Zimdars. He attended Holmes Country School and Ripon High School. On September 11, 1954 he married Shirley Mielke at County Line Lutheran Church. Shirley passed away in 2006. Florian lived and worked on the dairy farm all his life, and took great pride in the farm and his family. He loved attending his children’s 4-H activities as they were growing up, and enjoyed spending time with them at county fairs around the area during the summer. He was a devoted member of Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon.

Florian is survived by his children, Kathleen (Boyd) Schleicher, David (Audrey) Zimdars, Terry (Norine) Zimdars, Linda VanLoo, and Steven Zimdars; 11 grandchildren, Kirstin (Justin) Arndt, Matthew (Megan) Schleicher, Erich (Megan) Schleicher, Kyle (Mariah) Zimdars, Gregory Zimdars, Diana Zimdars, Aaron (Alissa) Zimdars, Nathan Zimdars, Seth Zimdars, Danielle (Adam) Endres, and Cory (Hennessy) VanLoo; 12 great-grandchildren, Miranda, Linus and Daphne Arndt, Maddie Schleicher, Jack and Leo Schleicher, Lane, Maureen, Natalie and Stetson Florian Zimdars, Annabelle Zimdars, and Violet Endres; a few bonus great-grandchildren, Vivienne and William East and William Robinson; a sister, Marlene Scott; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nelson and Elda Zimdars; wife, Shirley Zimdars; sisters, Lorraine Laper and LaVerna Hinz; son-in-law, Duane VanLoo; and other in-laws, John Laper, Art Hinz, Gene Scott, Niles and Betty Mielke, and Gerald and Rita Mielke.

Visitation for Florian will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 1:00 until 2:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 430 W. Griswold St., Ripon, WI 54971.

Funeral service for Florian will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon, with Rev. Clay R. Salmela officiating. Interment will follow at Reeds Corners Cemetery, Town of Metomen. A memorial is being established in his name.