John W. Zimmer Jun. 2021
JOHN ZIMMER OBITUARY
John “Jack” W. Zimmer age 77, of Brooklyn Park passed away peacefully with his loving family present.
Survived by his loving wife, Elaine; daughter, Julie Zimmer and son, Brian Zimmer; grandchildren, Bergen, Dane, Cameron, Zach and Brock; sisters, Marilyn Braun, Char O’Brien; loving nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and John Zimmer; brothers, Dick and Bob Zimmer.
Jack’s pre-school years his family of seven lived in the lower North side of Minneapolis. It was an ethnically diverse community and everybody got along. Jack’s neighbor Sarah would ask, “Jackie, would you come over Friday night and turn my light off?” Those nickels added up. Sam the corner grocer would give anyone credit he knew. He attended Ascension Catholic School, St. Cyril’s and graduated North High School in 1961.
At 13, he started working for his brother-in-law at Braun’s Bakery in Robbinsdale and knew he wanted to have his own bakery someday. Returning from the Army he worked at the Camden Bakery where he met and married Elaine Teige. In 1967 he bought Filipek Bakery on Lake/Hennepin. The Vietnam war was raging and help was scarce. . . many nights he worked alone. In 1972 he bought the Bungalow Bakery in St. Louis Park on Hwy. 100, open seven days a week. In 1980, K-Mart bought the Zayre stores and asked Jack to vacate. He stored his equipment and started looking for a new location.
From 1980-1984 he worked at Lunds Commissary decorating cakes and worked with Pillsbury adding fresh-baked croissants. In September 1984 he opened Jack’s Bakery and Coffee Shop in Brooklyn Park. Every sweet item in a bag or box had a sticker that said: Baker Jack says: Eat Dessert First! Life is Uncertain. Business was booming and an addition was added to the bakery in 1993. Jack was a certified “Master Baker”. He was active in the local Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota and National Baker’s Assoc., over 30 years and inducted into the “Minnesota Bakers Hall of Fame”.
In 1994, Jack offered a tour of his bakery to 30 Russian and Siberian businesses. They were awed by ovens (furnaces), full shelves in grocery stores and all the “single” homes. He received a key to the city of Murmansk.
In 1999, after savings lots of green dough, the bakery was sold. Jack and Elaine retired, but not for long. Volunteering and Traveling were top priorities.
In 2000, ACDI-VOCA, an overseas government assistance program sent them to Russia to help bakeries that were struggling after Glasnost. In 2001 they were sent to Ukraine. Both experiences became life-changing and enriching. They enjoyed hosting others from around the world in their home. Their retirement travels had taken them to 60 countries and 49 states.
Jack became a volunteer Meals on Wheels driver in 2000. He loved the camaraderie with other drivers and training new ones. He respected his clients giving each a plate of Holiday cookies/card. In 2017 Jack became a “Poster Boy” as there was talk of cutting funds for MOW. A large pic of Jack delivering lunch to a client appeared on the front page of USA Today with the caption “Here’s the truth about Meals on Wheels”. No cuts were made.
Jack enjoyed time spent in Naples, Florida each winter, boating on Lake Minnetonka, golfing on Edinburgh, attending his five grand kids sporting/school events and making special Birthday cakes for friends and family. Volunteering at the 3M Sr. Championship every year was a favorite. He loved chauffeuring the pros around and oh, the stories he told.
At Prince of Peace, he loved to help in the kitchen with funeral lunches and special occasion fund raisers, men’s workday, ushering, communion assisting Men’s Bible Study at Perkins and GroupLife discussions.
After God and Family, it was the Vikings. Jack was a season ticket holder and his 40th Birthday was celebrated September 8, 1983 with a Vikings loss of 48-17. His family celebrated his 73rd Birthday on the US Bank Stadium Plaza with a surprise Legacy Brick. It says, “Skol Vikings!, Jack Zimmer, Brian and Boys, Fans since 1961” and found in back of the Viking Ship with many VIP’s. Jack’s regrets: No Hole-in-one and No Vikings Super Bowl win. Jack lived his life by the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule.
Well Done Good and Faithful Servant!
Abundant Thanks to the gifted doctors and support staff at the Mayo Clinic and our loving and supportive family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials to: Prince of Peace Church, Brooklyn Park; CEAP, Brooklyn Park; Mayo Clinic (PSC Research) 800-297-1185.
Memorial service 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 15, 2021 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 7217 West Broadway; Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. With visitation at the church beginning at 10:00 A.M. until the service time.
Visitation 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel of Plymouth; 15800 West Broadway; Plymouth.
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Published by Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapels - Plymouth Chapel on Jul. 16, 2021.
