Thomas P. Zellmer

Thomas Paul Zellmer, age 73, passed away Wednesday, April 30, 2025. He was born to Alfred and Marion (Homan) Zellmer on April 16, 1952. He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Larsen, WI. On his confirmation he was given the passage Ephesians 2:8-9. "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith " Tom kept this passage on his mind as he did his daily work.
Tom married Ruth Bethke in 1992. Their marriage was blessed with three children. Tom was a very proud father to August of Greenfield, WI; Eben of Appleton, WI; and Gretta Grace of Milwaukee, WI. Tom loved to take his kids sailboarding and water skiing on Lake Poygan near his childhood home. He also enjoyed cooking, having learned this skill while working at a restaurant when he attended college in New Ulm, MN.
Early on, Tom found he loved over-the-road trucking and spent the next 52 years in this career. He was an owner operator running Paper Valley Transport out of Menasha, WI. He was happy to have driven for Nercon in Neenah for the past 17 years. In September of 2024 he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. His health deteriorated quickly, and in February of 2025 he retired from his job.
Tom is survived by his wife and children, siblings Susan Vernon, Roger Zellmer (Theresa Schuh), and Mary Kay (Courtney) Hale. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Gloria Kramer, brothers-in-law Al Bethke and Byron Bethke, and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Dolores and Emil Bethke, brother-in-law David Kramer, sisters-in-law Aggie Bethke and Judy Bethke, and nephew Joshua Kramer.
Funeral services for Tom will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Neenah with Pastor Tony McKenzie officiating. The service will begin at 11:00 AM, with visitation two hours before. Following the service, please join us for a meal in the church basement to celebrate Tom's life. Burial service will follow at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Larsen.
We would like to thank St. Croix Hospice, especially nurse Becca for the compassionate care Tom received. A special thank you to Sue Skrzypczak for her kindness and friendship to our family during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Trinity Lutheran Church, Neenah Lutheran School, or Fox Valley Lutheran High School, in order that others may hear the good news of God's saving grace.