Delmar Zimmerman 91, of Wishek, ND, passed away on January 8th, 2025.  He will be fondly remembered for his love of family and God, commitment to public education, service in the community, and as a travel enthusiast. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM at First Baptist Church, Wishek. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Feist Funeral Home, Wishek. Burial will be held at St. Luke Lutheran Cemetery. A livestream of Delmar's funeral service will be available on the Wishek First Baptist Church Facebook page.

Delmar Zimmerman, son of Reuben and Magdelena (Eszlinger) Zimmerman was born April 29, 1933, at Lehr, ND.  He was raised in Lehr and attended Lehr Public School where he enjoyed playing basketball, nicknamed "Gunner", for the Leopards until he graduated in 1951.

Delmar married Deloris Boschee on September 21, 1952. They decided to get an education and pursue a teaching career. He received his Standard Teaching Certificate in 1955, his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Valley City State University in 1962, and his master's degree in School Administration from North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND.

Delmar and Deloris started teaching at rural schools and then spent 39 years in the Wishek Public School system.  In Wishek Delmar taught junior high classes, served as the Junior High Principal, Elementary and Junior High Principal, Principal for grades 1-12, and Superintendent of Schools for 22 years.  Early in his career he refereed basketball games and during the summer painted many houses and farm buildings in Wishek and the surrounding area. He was an avid Wishek Badger and South Border Mustangs fan and promoter throughout the years.

As an education leader, Delmar held offices in all the county, district and regional activities such as music, speech and all sports.  He served on several state educational committees and was appointed by Governor Allen Olson to serve on the North Dakota State Teacher's Profession Practices Committee.  In 2002 he received the State ND Retired Teacher's Association Silver Apple Award for meritorious service to retired teachers.

He was a proud North Dakotan, an ardent Virgil Hill, Carson Wentz, and NDSU Bison football fan. He was keenly interested in and knowledgeable about his Germans from Russia Heritage and actively engaged in community service in Wishek.  He was a dedicated member of the Wishek Lions Club for 50 years, served on the McIntosh County Historical Society, and was active in many community development organizations, and Republican party activities. Governor Ed Schafer appointed him to serve on the Judicial Conduct Committee in 1996, where he spent 2 terms. He won the award for whitest beard at Wishek's 125th celebration.

Delmar spent hours researching scenic and historic sites and making plans to see and enjoy them. They traveled throughout the United States and Canada visiting every state in the United States and every province in Canada except the Territories.  Along with Bob and Verna Zimmerman they traveled the entire Lewis and Clark Expedition trail from St Louis Missouri to the Pacific Ocean during the years of 2001-2004. A trip to Germany as a 50th wedding anniversary gift from their children and grandchildren was their most memorable trip.

His hobbies included watching sports, and collecting coins, mugs, and soil and water samples from all over the country.  He spent years videotaping and documenting important events and family travels.  He loved music and was particularly fond of Elvis, Johnny Cash, the Blackwood Brothers, the Oakridge Boys, and Jimmy Swaggart's gospel.

Delmar and Deloris are the parents of two children, a son, Delore, married to Sonia (Breitling) of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and a daughter, Delette, married to Sam Lemon of Denver Colorado.  Delmar has two grandchildren, Ian Zimmerman, married to Christina (Beretta) and Rachel Zimmerman. Rachel's son Levi Olson is their only great grandchild. The entire Zimmerman family spent the last week in July at a resort in Minnesota continuously for almost 40 years.

Delmar was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Magdelena Zimmerman; wife, Deloris in 2022; brothers, Robert and Gail; sisters-in-law Cheryl Zimmerman, Marlys Boschee and Karen Boschee; brothers-in-law Leroy, Clarence, Floyd and Reuben Boschee, and James Brandt; nephews Bruce, Dwight and Eric Boschee, and Dustin Zimmerman, and a niece Dana Brandt.

He is survived by his children Delore (Sonia), and Delette (Sam), grandchildren Ian (Christina) and Rachel, and great grandchild Levi, brother-in-law Adam Boschee, sisters-in-law Verna Zimmerman, Bertha Shirley Brandt and Linda Boschee and several nephews and nieces in the Zimmerman and Boschee families.