MICHAEL ZIMMERMAN

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Zimmerman, of Emo, Ont., on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 at the Rainycrest Long-Term Care Home in Fort Frances, Ont.
His passing follows a year after that of his beloved wife, Elisabeth (Neitemeier) Zimmerman.
Michael was born on March 28, 1927 in the town of Tempelfeld, in the province of Silesia (then part of Germany, now part of Poland) to Theodor and Anna Zimmermann. He was the youngest of six children.
As a small child, Michael spent much time in his father’s carpentry shop. After an elementary education in his village, Michael was accepted into high school, where he enjoyed studying the sciences, English, and Latin.
WWII interrupted his education and at the age of 16, he was drafted into the military, along with his entire class. Michael was injured, returned home to recover, and then spent time at a training centre as the war was drawing to a close.
As the Russian forces closed in, Michael was part of a group fleeing Berlin on April 24, 1945, the date the Russians closed off the city. Michael was captured by the Americans and sent to a prison camp.
After the war, Michael had no home to return to; nor did he know where his family was. His friend, Hermann Vajen, invited him to his home, a kindness for which he always was grateful.
In the summer of 1946, through the help of the Red Cross, he learned his family had resettled in West Germany and the family enjoyed a happy reunion.
It was at the Vajen farm that Michael discovered a love of agriculture. Over two winters from 1949-50, he attended Agricultural College. In the spring of 1950, Michael moved closer to his family and began working on a farm. It was there that he met Elisabeth and they fell in love.
Shortly afterward, he had an opportunity to come to Canada to the farm of Heinrich Holtmann in Rosser, Man. He travelled to Canada on the CPR ship, Beaverbrae, landing in Quebec City on Oct. 11, 1951. Following a train trip across Northern Ontario, he arrived in Winnipeg, where he was met by Mr. Holtmann.
He worked on the Holtmann farm, learning all he could about the Canadian dairy industry, while repaying his passage to Canada.
A year later, Elisabeth also came to Canada. They became engaged shortly afterward and were married in St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in Winnipeg on Oct. 1, 1953.
They spent three-and-a-half years in Minnedosa, Man. While in Minnedosa, they were approached by a representative of the Canada Immigration Settlement Service about farms that were available in Rainy River District for a reasonable down payment. They purchased the farm near Emo and moved there on March 31, 1957.
Michael felt his big break came in 1959 when the local dairy asked farmers to convert to bulk milk coolers. Many farmers quit milking at that time and demand was high. In 1962, he built the main barn. Over the years, the farm and his herd, Emo Holsteins, grew.
Michael and Elisabeth spent 35 years on the farm before moving into a new home a mile from the original farm yard in 1992. In 2004, they moved into Emo, where they enjoyed the company of many old friends and former neighbours.
In June, 2016, they moved to Rainycrest in Fort Frances.
Michael believed community service was important. Over the years, he represented the dairy farmers of Rainy River District on many organizations, including the Soil and Crop Association, Federation of Agriculture, and the Ontario Milk Producers. Locally, he also served on the board of the Golden Age Manor.
For years, he also served on the board of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Michael encouraged his children to participate in 4-H and served as a leader in the Calf Club.
Michael served on the board of the Emo Fair. Most of his efforts on the board centered around the cattle and agricultural exhibits. Michael and Elisabeth’s involvement with the Emo Fair began almost immediately after they moved to the district.
Elisabeth and Michael began showing Holstein cattle in 1958, when the event was called the “Black and white show.” Cattle have been shown by the Zimmerman family every year since then and included their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In 2012, Michael and Elisabeth were honoured as the “Feature Family” at the fair.
Michael firmly believed that education was the key to the future. He encouraged all his children to pursue a post-secondary education. As an advocate for agricultural education pertinent to Northern Ontario, he served on the Advisory Board of the New Liskeard College of Agricultural Technology, travelling many miles across Ontario to attend meetings.
Michael and Elisabeth welcomed members of their families from Germany and also travelled back to their homeland periodically. In 1962, Michael, Elisabeth, and the four older children travelled back to Germany. Years later, the trip was repeated with their four younger children.
Michael and Elisabeth took great pride in their yard and enjoyed time spent together transforming each yard they lived in. Their home always was open to family and friends.
Michael is survived by six children, Theodore (Deb) Zimmerman of Emo, Ont., Elizabeth (Jonathon) Forrester of Emerson, Man., Peter (Dawn) of St. Paul, Mn., Lucille (Gary) Wilson of Devlin, Ont., Mary (Doug) Hyatt of Burriss, Ont., and Bernie (Roseanne) Zimmerman of Emo, Ont.
Also mourning his loss are grandchildren, Laura, Linda, Sarah, Lisa, Brian, Curtis, Kevin, Michael, Amy, Matthew, Tina, Jeremy, Christina, Daniel, Joshua, Nathan, Rebecca, Elijah, and Vincent; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He also is survived by two daughters-in-law, Cynthia and Val; one brother; and many nieces and nephews in Germany.
He was predeceased by his wife, Elisabeth; two sons, Henry and Karl; and by two brothers and two sisters.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, with prayers offered at 7 p.m.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Emo.
Interment will take place in the Barwick Cemetery.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made by cheque to the St. Patrick’s Building Fund or charity of your choice c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.