Marc Zimmerman

Marc Randolph "Marci" Zimmerman

1945 - 2021

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Obituary of Marc Randolph Zimmerman

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our husband, father and grandfather, Marc/Marci Zimmerman on Friday, January 15, 2021 at the age of 75.

Marci leaves to mourn his faithful wife of 52 years, Judy (Szeliga) Zimmerman, his children: Lorne Zimmerman of Calgary, Renata (Howard) Bonnell of Garson, Lena (Darcy) Krahulic of Nanton, AB.  His grandchildren: Zoe Krahulic, Isaac Krahulic and Esmé Krahulic. He is survived by his sisters: Bessie Baldwin of Ste. Pierre-Jolys, Johanna Carol Zimmerman of Richmond, BC and his brother Albert (Linda) Zimmerman of Vassar, MB., as well as numerous wonderful nieces and nephews and other family members.

He was predeceased by his parents: Joseph and Lottie (Kreycik) Zimmerman, as well as his sister, Louise (Zimmerman) Mueller.

Dad was born on March 20, 1945 in St. Boniface Hospital. He grew up on the Zimmerman farm at Whitemouth Lake, Manitoba. He enjoyed going to school at the one-room schoolhouse with all the Whitemouth Lake students, who became his lifelong friends. He played baseball on the Whitemouth Lake Warriors baseball team in 1958. He married the girl from the farm next door in 1968. They lived in Thompson, MB from 1968 to 1973 while Dad worked for INCO, the nickel mine. Dad had some of the best years of his life in Thompson; boating and water skiing on Paint Lake with all his rowdy friends and snowmobiling in the winter. In 1973, he settled down to the family farm to give his family roots as deep as the soil. He wanted his children to know the joys of growing up on a farm, producing your own food and learning to live off the land. We were surrounded by the best family and neighbours a person could ask for. Dad farmed until the mid-1990’s, slowing down after all his children moved away from home. He gave us roots and wings. Dad was a man of simple pleasures: all he needed to be happy was a pack of smokes, (Export A), and a good hockey game. He cheered for the Habs, when the Jets weren’t playing. Some of his favorite shows were MASH, NASCAR, a good western and the News.

Dad loved nature. His life was spent working in the great outdoors, under the sunny, blue sky of Manitoba. In the spring, he loved the smell of fresh turned earth and a crop well planted. In the summer, he loved the golden fields of wheat and barley. In the fall and winter, he loved the smell of pine needles, tree sap, saw dust and the roar of a powersaw. He worked for J. Hovorka & Sons from 1973 until he retired, operating his skidder and creating pulp wood. Dad loved country music, especially Johnny Cash and anything with a good beat to dance to. Believe it or not, this farmer/lumber jack, was as light on his feet as a butterfly, and as smooth of a dancer as ever graced the floor. Mom and Dad would float across the dance floor at weddings and graduations.

He loved teaching his children the value of working hard and how to save a dollar. The man abhorred spending/shopping. He loved gardening and giving the extra produce to friends. He loved when neighbours would stop in for a cup of coffee, especially during Deer Hunting Season. He will be remembered by his children for the famous saying, “Go Jump in the Lake.” and other phrases.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at Bethesda Regional Health Centre and St. Boniface Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sprague & District Historical Museum. The family will host a memorial service at a later date.