Jeffrey C. Zimmermann

Jeffrey Clyde Zimmermann, 58, of Dousman, passed away on August 23rd, 2022. Private Burial to be held Friday August 26th, 2022. Celebration of life to be held Saturday, August 27th, 2022 from 2-4pm in Greendale at Panther Pub. Join us to share your memories of Jeff. Dogs are welcome to join as he had a special place in his heart for them. Jeff was born in Milwaukee to Clyde and Jean Zimmermann on November 6th, 1963. He grew up in Greendale with his two older sisters, Sue and Claudia. As a child he went on many road trips with his family exploring North America. Door County was a favorite vacation spot where he fished, camped, and sailed with his parents and sisters. Jeff attended Greendale High School where he ran cross country-Class of 1981. Jeff graduated from UWM in 1985 with a Bachelors in Computer Science and a minor in Psychology. Jeff started his career in software development at Northern Computers. He later moved to FIS, where he spent over 25 years as a lead software architect and manager. In the early 90’s, with his longtime partner Ruth, he enjoyed hiking and traveling though the United States. He climbed Mt Whitney (the highest peak in the contiguous US) in one day by himself. Climbed Half Dome in Yosemite. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in one day, left at 2 in the morning and returned at 7 PM. He snow camped by himself in sub zero temps (never did that again). He trained and ran the Madison Marathon in the rain and posted a really decent time. Jeff and Ruth both loved going to the farmers market on Saturdays in Madison, a city he loved. In the last few years of his life, Jeff and Claudia spent their Saturdays together in Madison, enjoying the farmers market and taking the dogs for a stroll. For many many years Jeff could be found running the dogs at various Field Trial events in the state and Illinois. He worked at and organized events, did bird setting on horseback for field trials – once a horse reared up and fell on him, he jumped right up. He also maintained the fields at Ottawa and served on the board of the Ottawa Trial Association. He mowed paths throughout the grounds on an enormous tractor, which he loved running. Ren and Szuka, his Vizslas, were great loves of his, and he spent many evenings swimming them across Ottawa Lake multiple times. Jeff belonged to several organizations including, Wisconsin Association of Field Trial Clubs, Central Wisconsin Vizsla Club, and the Western Red Setter Club. Jeff and Ruth traveled extensively for many years. They went to DC and managed to sneak into the Capitol, sat in the balcony of the House Chamber and were thrown out. They were thrown from horses when a train blew its horn in British Columbia. When traveling to Mexico they lost their luggage and Jeff fearlessly went to a dangerous section of Zihuatanejo to buy 50-cent underwear. They swam in Jacobs Well the day before Dani’s wedding in Texas. They went on a waterfall search in the state of Wisconsin and camped throughout the state with many adventures. Ruth credits the advent of the GPS as making life smoother, because Jeff always wanted to know exactly where he was. Ruth shared her interest in golf with Jeff, which he enjoyed. One time, Jeff got an Eagle golfing at Grant Park, but during the round lightning started to hit. The course closed, but he refused to leave. He finished the round in a torrential downpour. He was so proud! He enjoyed many rounds, and included his family members often. Jeff, Ruth, and Sue got a kick out of the fact that Clyde seemed to forget how to count when they took him out. Jeff had a passion for tools and could never pass by a Tractor supply without stopping. He spent countless hours building his house with his dad, Clyde, and it was something to watch the two of them solve problems. He was devoted to his folks and he and Ruth spent many days with them. He was a generous spirit when it came to the people he cared about and loved being a “kid” with the kids in his life. Even with his massive courage in some areas, drive thru windows and microphones made him very very anxious. He had a great sense of irony and humor which was something Ruth loved when he torpedoed into her life. In 2020, family and friends started to notice changes in Jeff’s behavior and personality. But, it was not until late 2021 that the source of these changes was found. Jeff was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia. This awful disease took the Jeff we knew and loved and ultimately led to his passing. Jeff spent his last 8 months unable to speak. The caregivers that helped care for Jeff cared for him deeply through the hardest part of his life. As a family we are forever grateful for the genuine compassion they showed him, even through the hard days. Jeff kept a sliver of his sarcastic wit alive all the way until the end, including giving the bird to caregivers who wouldn’t let him misbehave. Survived by his sisters Sue Zimmermann and Claudia Egan (Ed), his niece Danielle Tammen (Denton), and his great niece and nephews Patrick, Dawsyn, and Axton. Loving partner to Ruth Logan for many years, and her children David Hillestad and Kit Hillestad Helgren, and grandchildren Amber and Casey. Preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Jean Zimmermann of Greendale, WI. In Lieu of flowers, we ask that if you wish to donate in his memory, please consider donating to the Ice Age Trail. https://iceagetrail.app.neoncrm.com/forms/honor-memory