Leroy Zimmerman

Published 10:34 am Monday, May 20, 2024

Leroy Zimmerman

July 5, 1936 – April 10, 2024

Leroy Zimmerman was 87, the youngest of eight children born to Susanna Tobaben and Otto Zimmerman, Alta Vista, KS.

Leroy graduated from Alta Vista High School in 1954 and the University of Kansas in 1958 with a journalism degree.

“Zimm” worked as sports editor for Iowa’s Harlan Tribune until drafted into the U.S. Army in 1959. He was stationed in Germany and honorably discharged in 1961. While there he met comrades who became lifelong friends and one toured Europe with him before Zimm returned to Harlan as advertising salesman.

Soon Zimm’s sense of adventure led him to The Cottage Grove Sentinel. He sold advertising and six months later, at age 27, became publisher. He also covered sports, news, and city government. With this knowledge he helped rewrite the city charter to follow the city council/city manager form of government.

In 1965, at age 28, Zimm married Pat Coop and became an instant dad to Pat’s four daughters: Roberta, Nancy, Karen, and Marsha, ages 8, 9, 10, and 12. Zimm often proudly claimed he married five women. A year later the newlyweds purchased a small cabin on Big Stump Beach near Waldport where the family created many memories.

In Cottage Grove Zimm received the community’s distinguished service award in 1966, played a role in Cottage Grove’s selection as All-America City in 1968, and helped revive the annual Bohemia Mining Days celebration. He served as president of the board of directors of Cottage Grove Hospital, was on the founding board of Cottage Grove Bank, a member of both Rotary International and Chamber of Commerce. At Trinity Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, he chaired a committee that aided in extensive remodeling to its building.

Zimm served as president of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association in 1977 and remained The Sentinel’s publisher until 1982. He helped develop The Sentinel into a hometown newspaper, amassing some 80 journalism awards. In 1979 The Sentinel was named best newspaper of its size in the nation.

Zimm then became publisher of The Springfield News. But in 1983, he and Pat took advantage of her retail management experience and purchased a Hallmark Store in Bend, naming it Zimm’s Hallmark.

Besides KU basketball, keeping in touch with family and friends throughout the country, Zimm enjoyed golf and daily walks.

Zimm is survived by stepdaughters Roberta Flora of Appleton, WI, Nancy (Ray) Shoptaw of Eugene, OR, Karen (Mark) Soine of Everett, WA, Marsha (Willis) New of Boise, ID; grandchildren Logan (Jennie) Flora of Appleton, WI, Damon (Andrea) Flora of Maple Grove, MN, Evan Flora of Appleton, WI, Brandy (Geoff) Steelhammer of Bend, OR, Brent (Molly) Shoptaw of Kennewick, WA, Kelsey (Mike) Nieraeth of Boise, ID, Calley (Grant) Schmidt of Ft. Worth, TX, Alex New of Dallas, TX; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Pat in 2010, parents Susanna and Otto, sister Ophelia Falk, and brothers Melvin, Everett, Harold, Harris, Lester, and Warren Zimmerman. Zimm will be interred at Fir Grove Cemetery in Cottage Grove beside his beloved wife Pat.

A service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend on Sunday, May 19, at 1:00 p.m. Live stream at: https://vimeo.com/event/769525/6b53a2adfb. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran School in Bend.