Mark. E. Zimmermann, age 56, of 415 South 10th Street; Gladstone, died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack on Saturday, February 17th, 2007, while on a skiing trip with family and friends in the Ironwood, Michigan area.

Mark was born May 28, 1950 at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba, the son of John and Marilyn (Stock) Zimmermann and was a lifelong Gladstone resident. In 1968 he graduated from the Holy Name High School of Escanaba and later attended Bay de Noc Community College.

In 1973, Mark married the former Susan M. Waeghe at All Saints Church and together they have three wonderful children.

Mark worked in the construction field most of his working life and was employed for “A. Lindberg & Son” for 17 years before becoming an electrician with Local Union #979 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers of Escanaba for the previous 15 years.

For those who knew him, Mark was first and foremost known as a “family man” and his wife, children, grandchildren, and all family were the most important aspect of his life. Since Mark had an outgoing, fun-loving, and witty personality, developing friends always came easy to him. The friendships he developed were prized by him adding to the caring, “people person” he was throughout his life. For just these special traits alone, he will be missed but lovingly remembered.   

Mark had an enthusiasm for playing guitar and demonstrated his love for music by playing the guitar and leading the Youth Choir at the All Saints Church where he was a member. 

Additionally, he enjoyed sports and was a member of the “Fossil League” basketball team and coached the ASA Bay de Noc Bombers Girls Softball Team and the Gladstone 6th Grade Girls Basketball Team. He was an avid and dedicated Redwing Hockey and Green Bay Packer fan and regularly attended Gladstone School sports activities. Also, one of Mark’s favorite hobbies was to collect 1/18th scale die-cast car models.

In addition to being a member of the All Saints Building and Grounds Committee, he was a member of the Gladstone Housing Commission.

Mark Zimmermann’s survivors include:

His wife and friend, “Sue”.

1 Son-Adam (Jenny) Zimmermann of Gladstone

2 Daughters- Marisa (Matt) Marek of Lansing; Grace Zimmermann at home

His parents, John and Marilyn Zimmermann of Gladstone

4 Brothers- Joel (Kathy) Zimmermann of Gladstone; John (Amanda) Zimmermann of Mancelona, MI; Matt (Cheryl Dorn) Zimmermann of Milwaukee; Jude (Renee) Zimmermann of Milwaukee

3 Sisters- Marcia Peterson of Marshall, MI; Mary (Bill Dishaw) Robitaille of Florence, WI; Joan (Dan) Saber of Chicago

3 Grandchildren-Haley Marek, Ethan Marek, and Evan Zimmermann

His father-in-law and mother-in-law, Louis “Butch” and Betty Waeghe of Gladstone 

Nieces, nephews, numerous extended family members, and friends.

Mark was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Zimmermann, in 2003 and by a brother-in-law, Rudy Peterson, in 2005.

The family of Mark E. Zimmermann will receive friends on Thursday at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Mark’s life will follow on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at All Saints Church with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow officiating. Luncheon will follow services in the parish hall. Burial will be in the Fernwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorials be directed to the family for an education fund to be established for his 12 year old daughter, Grace. Envelopes will be at the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County who are assisting the Zimmermann family.