Chester Winfred Zimmer
Chester Winfred Zimmer was born on March 15, 1913 in Banks, Idaho. He was the only son of Carl and Evie Zimmer. He had three sisters, Florence, Beulah, and Jewel.
Chet was schooled in Lewiston, Idaho. He worked the family cherry orchard in the 30’s. He played football and graduated out of Lewiston High School. He spent years trapping and working on ranches. He studied welding before the war in Portland, Ore. and worked in shipyards there. He always tells of the time he over-generated the acetylene tank and blew up the welding shop. Fortunately, he was alone and no one was
hurt. He served in the Philippines in World War II.
He met Betty Hahn in 1939-40 in California. He married her and brought her to Polson, MT in 1947.
After making the trip here a few years previous he fell in love with this valley and they lived here for their remaining years.
He is survived by his four children; Lloyd Kilman, his stepchild of San Francisco,CA, Richard Joseph Zimmer of Pablo, MT, Carolyn Zimmer of Van Nuys, CA, and Kenneth Zimmer of WA. Also, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Nona Kilman; granddaughter, Stephanie; and his wife Betty Zimmer.
Chet owned Flathead Plumbing for many years. He was always pointing out homes and saying “I plumbed
that one in 1952” or some year he would quote. They also sold appliances and were respected business people in the town of Polson.
He and his sons built the original KOA on the East Shore of Flathead Lake. They labored and worked and made a good living there. He single handedly built a home for him and Betty on the West Shore at the ripe old age of 65. It was a beautiful dwelling. He was proud of his handiwork. He loved hunting, fishing, and he loved his
family. He had huge gardens and would travel to the Shodair Children’s home with truckloads of food for the
children. His cherries were the best on the West Shore according to all of his grandchildren. He loved to make
sauerkraut and have parties with his and Betty’s friends.
Chet and Betty snow birded to Arizona for many years and traveled extensively to Mexico several times. In 1985 they traveled to China. Alaska was on their list of favorite spots to visit also.
Chet was a member of the American Legion and a World War II veteran.
They sold their home and settled in Pablo, MT with their son, Dick in 1989. They moved to St. Joseph
Retirement Home in 2006. They spent the last years of their lives in St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Ronan, MT. They were well cared for and loved it there.
We will miss “Grandpa Zimmer”. He always had a smile and the gold in his mouth was impressive!!
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Grogan Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2:00 PM at Lakeview Cemetery. Messages of condolence can be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home considers it a privilege to care for the Zimmer family.
They moved to St. Joseph Retirement Home in 2006. They spent the last years of their lives in
St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Ronan, MT.
They were well cared for and loved it there.
We will miss, “Grandpa Zimmer”. He always had a smile and the gold in his
mouth was impressive!! Messages of
condolence can be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home considers
it a privilege to care for the Zimmer family.
Dick – to you and your entire family I offer my sincere condolense in the loss of your father.
Ken, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. I have great memories of your folks!
Ken, and family,
So sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. The Soucie and Zimmers go back a long time–we have many good memories of times spent with your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
To Lloyd, Dick, Carolyn, Kenny my sympathies to you and your families during this difficult time. I have many, many great memories of fun times with the Zimmers. A very special one is when your Dad and Mom let all the Soucies stay in their beautiful home in 1989 while they were in Alaska, allowing us to celebrate our Dad’s 80th birthday. My prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Chet and Betty were such wonderful people and I have many fond memories … picking huckleberries up at Swan Lake, attempting to waterski at their KOA campground, visiting their home & abundant garden in Big Arm (I actually succeeded at waterskiing there!) as well as numerous times they made trips through Phoenix & stopped at Mom and Dad’s. I always loved it when Betty would get on Chet about teasing me and roughhousing with me when I was a kid. She’d say, “Now Chester, you go easy on her!” It still brings a smile to think of all the goodness these two souls brought to our world ~ my prayer is that both of them are at peace.
My prayers and condolences. He usually brought some good food to our meeting in the old American Legion hall. Every once in a while he would find something in his garage to bring out to the museum.
Dick and Paula – I well remember the stories you would tell of living at the KOA, and the legendary exploits of you and Kenny in the waters and Mountains of the Flathead. Your Dad and Mom made that all possible. I wish Chet a blessed journey after a long life full of the love of his descendents.
Lloyd, Carolyn and Family
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you as this most difficult time. I remember Chet quite well and always the twinkle in his eyes. He was very supportive of all the Pirate sports programs and I especially remember him coming to my basket-ball games.
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On behalf of my mother, Jo, my sister Mary Jo and myself, we are sorry to hear of Chet’s death. Our thoughts are with each of you.
Mr. Thompson bragged about his rinisag $100,000 for his campaign. Sounds like the good ole boys are are coming through for him. My question is how could he brag about this when so many working people are suffering in his district. That proves he can’t relate to the average voters in his district. People will vote but not all those people can afford a donation to some career politician’s campaign. Get a grip Jeff. It would help you to get out of that air conditioned office and meet the people. Work up a little sweat it might help you. Don’t send your lil helpers because you can afford to pay. Mr. Lowrie personally can afford to pay someone to pass out flyers but chose to personally meet each one of the voters in the district. Unlike you, people who don’t have the big bucks are just as important to him as the ones you choose to associate with.