Brian Zimmerman
Brian Dee Zimmerman, 61, of Hiawatha passed away at home Tuesday, September 19, 2017 following a short battle with cancer. Funeral services were held Saturday, September 23 at Christ Episcopal Church in Cedar Rapids. Burial took place immediately following the funeral services at Buffalo Cemetery in Hiawatha.
Brian was born October 23, 1955 in Waukon to Walter (Wally) and Sally (Sharp) Zimmerman. After graduating from Waukon Senior High School in 1973, Brian went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Iowa in 1979. It was there that he met his future wife, Julie (Schilling) Zimmerman, whom he married October 3, 1981 in Charles City.
In 1979, Brian began a career in life insurance and financial planning and in 1986, he began his own firm. What started in his basement is now a financial planning firm with 60 members across three states, known today as Securian Advisors MidAmerica. His life’s work was building relationships and he had a passion for helping others.
A life-long Iowa Hawkeye fan, Brian enjoyed years of memories at Kinnick and Carver, taking in any football, basketball or wrestling match he could. He also enjoyed his days on the water, whether it was fishing with his brothers, son, son-in-law and grandsons, or cruising on his boat with his family.
Brian was an avid traveler, always ready for the next vacation or adventure. He loved planning new trips and instilled his love of travel in his children and grandchildren. Brian was also the top supporter of his family, never missing a game or meet that his children participated in. He also made sure to attend his nieces' and nephews' activities whenever possible.
Brian loved nothing more in life than being a grandpa to his “little buddies.” He attended any activity his grandsons were involved in, often stopped by at random times to play, taught them all kinds of naughty things and babysat regularly. Grandpa’s macaroni and cheese can never be topped.
Brian is survived by his wife of nearly 36 years, Julie; his daughter, Maria (Bret) Paulsen; his son, Kyle (Laura) Zimmerman; and three grandsons, Garrett, Chase and Owen, all of Cedar Rapids; his older brother, David (Jeannine) Zimmerman of Waukon; his younger brother, Todd (Teresa) Zimmerman of Naples, FL; his mother-in-law, Dee Schilling of Charles City; and his sisters-in-law, Chris (Rex) Pruess of Iowa City, Mary McManis (Gene Pankey) of Burlington and Rene (Dennis) Arps of Riverside. Additionally, he is survived by his beloved nieces and nephews, John (Jessica) Zimmerman, Kristina (Ben) Gralund, Kelsey (Matt) Slay, William and Ingrid Zimmerman, Jamie and Joe Zimmerman, Kelly (Don) Zeck, Alex McManis, and Deanna and Megan Arps. He is also survived by great-nieces and great-nephews, Hannah, Addison, Mason, Carson, Jillian, Sawyer, Bodee, Adrian and Tyler, as well as many cousins.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Wally and Sally Zimmerman; his father-in-law, Roy Schilling; his younger brother, Gary (surviving spouse, Susan) Zimmerman; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to a favorite charity of donor’s choice or to Brian’s family to continue support for the local charities and organizations that were close to his heart. Please share a memory of Brian at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
