Pastor Earl J. Zimmerman

Pastor Earl J. Zimmerman

Pastor Earl J. Zimmerman, 91, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sept. 5, 2019, surrounded at Olathe Medical Center by his loving family and friends.

Earl was born April 12, 1928, in Alta Vista, Kan., to Walter and Marion (Brabb) Zimmerman. He attended St. John’s Academy and College in Winfield, and then graduated in 1953 from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis with a Master of Theology degree. While there, he sang in seminary choirs and the Lutheran Hour choir.

On Aug. 1, 1953, in St. Louis, Earl married Marilyn L. Mahnken, who survives at their home. That same month, he was ordained into the ministry at the first churches he served in rural Colorado. He went on to serve congregations in Nebraska and the KU campus ministry in Lawrence before becoming the pastor of Faith Lutheran in Ottawa in 1965.

Earl served Faith Lutheran with great love and commitment for 27 years, before retiring in 1992. He also was very involved in the work of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod on the circuit and district level, leading several committees and conferences. Even after retirement, he continued to serve interim ministries at several Lutheran churches in Kansas until 2008.

Ottawa also knew Earl from his involvement in the community over many years: long-time member and twice president of the Kiwanis Club, member and several times president of the Ottawa Ministerial Alliance, and member of the Chamber of Commerce. He and Marilyn also were long-time members of the Ottawa Promenaders Square Dance Club, and Earl also played softball and coached Little League.

In addition to his wife Marilyn, Earl is survived by sons Roger Wayne and Richard Vaughn (Melissa), and daughter Carla Grace (Scott) Holste. He was preceded in death by his sister and two brothers, and by an infant son, David John. Also surviving are seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Those who knew Earl knew that he not only deeply loved his Lord and his family, he also loved to sing and laugh. His family invites friends and the community to celebrate his life of service and faith in Jesus Christ. Visitation will be Monday, Sept. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, and funeral services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Faith Lutheran Church in care of Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64 , Baldwin City, KS 66006. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com