Roger G. Zimmerman

Roger G. Zimmerman, 82, of Watertown, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at his home.

Roger was born on May 22, 1942, in Watertown to George and Loretta (nee Engelbrecht) Zimmerman. He attended North Milford School and graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1960. He was active in 4-H where he excelled in tractor driving competitions. 

Roger worked on his family’s dairy farm and, in 1961, met the love of his life, Laura Kulow, on the dance floor. They were later reintroduced on a blind date at the Wisconsin State Fair. Roger and Laura married on June 27, 1964. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends last summer.

In 1966, Roger and Laura bought a farm on Radloff Lane, just down the road from his family’s farm, where they raised their family. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren meant the world to him, and he cherished the time they spent together.

Roger was an active member of the agricultural community, serving on numerous boards and committees, including the Jefferson County Farm Service Agency, Jefferson County Land Conservation Committee, Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Associated Milk Producers, Inc., Jefferson County Fair Board and the Equity Livestock Watertown Shipping Association. He was a leader for the Hubbleton Hustlers 4-H club and served others in Jefferson County 4-H. He was an active member of the Shields Volunteer Fire Department.

He served on the church council for Immanuel Lutheran Church of Deerfield and represented the council on the Lakeside Lutheran Board of Directors. In recent years, Roger was a member of Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waterloo.

Roger loved farming, playing cards (sheepshead and euchre), collecting hats, fishing on Lake Michigan, and traveling with friends and family across the country and the world making treasured memories. He could never pass a John Deere implement lot without stopping. He welcomed opportunities to help others and sought out ways to do so. Roger could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere he went. He was the life of every party.

Roger is survived by his wife, Laura Zimmerman; children, Scott (Tami) Zimmerman, Rodney (Deb) Zimmerman, Lisa (Robert) Leege, and Brian (Jill) Zimmerman; ten grandchildren, Travis (Kayla) Zimmerman, Tyler (Ashley Southern) Zimmerman, Logan (Jessica) Zimmerman, Landon (Bridget) Zimmerman, Haiden Zimmerman, Keatan Zimmerman, Sutton Zimmerman, Erin (Brandon) Schmitz, Rachel (John) Schutte, and Katelyn Zimmerman; four great-grandchildren, Zoey, Easton, and Ryder Zimmerman, and Ila Schmitz; brothers, David Zimmerman and Gary (Diane) Zimmerman; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dorothy (John) Wineke, Barbara Kitzinger, William (Linda) Kulow, Patricia (John) Krakow, Pauline Bruhn, Richard (Linda) Kulow, Marjorie (Roger) Burrow, and Harvey Kulow.

When God welcomed him to heaven, he was greeted by his parents; a son, Kurt Paul Zimmerman; his sister, Karen Odegaard Piper (Curt); sisters-in-law, Marlys Zimmerman, Twilah Kulow, and Marie Kulow; and brother-in-law, David Kulow.

The family extends special thanks to Rainbow Hospice staff for their compassionate care.

Remembrance for Roger will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home (500 Welsh Road Watertown, WI). Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. with a memorial service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Charles Iles will be officiating. Burial will follow the service at 3:00pm at Kroghville Cemetery.