Robert Nevin Zimmerman

Robert “Bob” Nevin Zimmerman

Bob Zimmerman, 93, of Strong City, KS died Saturday, November 24, 2018, at the Chase County Care & Rehabilitation Center in Cottonwood Falls. The son of Cobus W. and Sadie Julia (Erhardt) Zimmerman, Robert was born February 27, 1925 in Kansas City, MO. He entered the U.S. Coast Guard at the age of 16 and served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1941 until 1962 during World War II and the Korean War. He and June Donner were married and to that union was born three children: David, Robert, and Loree. They divorced.  He and Betty Louraine Haden were married December 15, 1969 in King Co, WA. She preceded him in death on April 30, 2015.

Bob lived and worked in the Seattle, WA are for several years before returning to Kansas. He worked on the Fox Creek Ranch for a few years, then managed the Strong City Motel before opening ceramic shops in Strong City and Wellington. He enjoyed working with stained glass and going to craft shows. He and Betty were full-time “RVers” for a awhile.

Among all of his jobs following the service, he most enjoyed the 22 years of being a gate attendant at the Council Grove Reservoir. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. He very much enjoyed taking his dog “Sweet Girl” for a ride all over town in his golf cart, always stopping to visit. He was a Lutheran.

He is survived by three children: Robert Zimmerman of the Seattle, WA area, David (Sabrina) Zimmerman of Renton, WA, and Loree (Ken) Deede of Eatonwille, WA; three step-grandchildren: Sandy Brown (Rod Engstrand) of Strong City, KS, Mike (Kay) Mosby of Haviland, KS, Betty Page of Lake Stevens, WA; step son, Bill Blasi of Wellington; 21 grandchildren: Trish Deede, Zeb Deede,  Sarah Nagel, Leslie Zimmerman, Brian Zimmerman, Rachelle Himmalman, Sierra Carlson, and Kayla Siliga all of WA; step-grandchildren: Roy Brown of Strong City, Brian Brown, Michelle (Mark) Brownlee, Melissa Jansen, and Jason Blasi all of Wellington, Jessica Mosby of Americus, Angela Spain of Haviland, Marie Lester and Lori (Steve) Hyvari of Granite Falls, WA, Bill (Danielle) Lilgreen  of Lake Stevens, WA, Kelli (Tim) Armour of Palestine, TX, and Derek Mosby and Chris Mosby of Topeka; 33 great-grandchildren; and nine great great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a step-daughter, Debbie Blasi.

A private family service will be held at a later date with inurnment in Hillside Cemetery in Toledo Township. Memorial contributions to the Chase County Fishing Derby may be sent in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, PO Box 220, Cottonwood Fall, KS 66845. Online condolence messages may be left at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home on Facebook.

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