Eldred J. ZimmermanWest Des MoinesEldred J. "Zim" Zimmerman, 85, passed away May 18, 2017. A gathering for friends and family will be held from 5-7pm, Monday, May 22, 2017 at Iles Westover Chapel. Private interment will be at Glendale Cemetery.Zim was born on April 3, 1932 in Portsmouth, Iowa the son of Henry and Celia (Klein) Zimmerman. Following graduation from Portsmouth High School, he joined the US Navy in 1951. He was a Petty Officer 2nd class and faithfully served during the Korean War. He was Honorably Discharged in 1954. Zim was united in marriage to Germaine "Geri" Wisniewski on April 4, 1959 in Wausau, WI. They just celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. They moved to the Des Moines area in 1969. Zim worked for Braniff Airlines for 8 years, before starting a career selling insurance for Allstate until he retired. Zim was a member of Sacred Heart Church and St. Pius X Catholic Church. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed dancing with his wife, watching all sports, playing cards with his buddies at the Cottontail, sharing stories, listening to music and telling jokes.Zim is survived by his wife, Germaine "Geri"; children, Bruce (Christine) Zimmerman, and Terri Lynne (Mike) Zimmerman-Frank; three grandchildren, Marc and Matthew Zimmerman and Katherine Cooper; three siblings, Richard Zimmerman, Carolyn (Roy) Mortenson and Janice (Donny) Marker. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Paul; and five siblings, Velma Ring, Harold and Jack Thielen, Ella Mae Schaben, and Neil Zimmerman.In lieu of flowers contributions may be directed to the family to be used for Zim's favorite charities.