LaVern C. Zimmerman was born May 11, 1931 in Danzig, North Dakota to Edwin and Lydia (Kautz) Zimmerman.  Surrounded by family,  he died peacefully at the age of 87 on May 27, 2018, at Valley Elder Care in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

LaVern grew up on a farm near Artas, South Dakota.  Enlisting in the Army in 1954, he served his country proudly.  He was united in marriage to Jeanne Widley and they were blessed with five daughters.  LaVern's family was the most important thing in his life. He was very civic minded, was active in city government and the volunteer fire department; he  held many offices in the American Legion and VFW. His faith was strong and he served his church in numerous capacities over the years. LaVern loved the outdoors.  He was an avid gardener who was "green" before it was commonly practiced. He retired after 36 years with Otter Tail Power Company serving in Devils Lake, Rolla, and Drayton, North Dakota.

Left to mourn his passing: his wife, Jeanne, Drayton, ND; his daughters, Ramona (Tim) Whalen, Neva (John) Stoebner, Deena (Harlen) Steen, Shawna (John) Peterson and Rhonda (Mark) Peterson; grandchildren Sarah and Megan Whalen, Grand Forks, ND; Ben, Andrew and Zachary Stoebner, Minneapolis, MN; Terri Steen, Minneapolis, MN, Jennifer (Otoro) Ekereke, Oakdale, MN, Trevor (Jenny) Steen, Aberdeen, SD; Tyler (Taylor) Steen, Willmar, MN; Elsie and Marnie Peterson, West Fargo, ND, Carly (Isaac) Black, Grand Forks, ND, Grant Peterson, Denver, CO, Jay and Brett Peterson, Grand Forks, ND and Kathryn Peterson, Minneapolis, MN; great-grandchildren, Emery Steen, Tylan Steen, Kendra, Kaden, and Kenzi Ekereke; sisters, Gladys Beck, Ipswich, SD, Lorene (Harry) Hoff, Eureka, SD; brothers, LeRoy, Sioux Falls, SD, Steven (Connie), Oceanside, CA; and Keith (Pam), Eureka, SD; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Francis Joachim, Rose Marie Wiest; brothers-in-law, Milbert Joachim, Alvin Wiest and Floyd Beck; grandson, Nicholas Stoebner.

Our loss is Heaven's gain.

Services will be held Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11am at Drayton Lutheran Church.  Visitation will be from 10 to 11am. Memorials may be made to: Drayton Ambulance, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, American Cancer Society (Esophageal).