of Council Bluffs, IA formerly of Fremont, Nebraska and Woodcliff;
died Thursday August 28, 2014
in the Primrose Assisted Living facility in Council Bluffs
Gene was born December 22, 1923 in Duncan, Nebraska to Martin and Ida (Ernst) Zimmerman. He graduated from high school in Duncan, then went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad.
He served in the Army Air Corps from March of 1943 to December of 1945, then returned to working for the Union Pacific Railroad. He worked for the Union Pacific in Fremont from 1947 to 1965. He was a telegrapher and ticket agent for the Union Pacific in Council Bluffs, Iowa from 1965 to 1976, then a ticket agent in Omaha during 1976 and '77. In 1977 he became The Nebraska Division Freight Agent, retiring on December 31, 1983. Upon his retirement, he and his wife moved to the Woodcliff Lakes south of Fremont, and later into Fremont. In July of 2012, the couple moved to Council Bluffs and his wife Marilynn died a week later, on July 14, 2012. Gene and Marilyn Rood were married January 8, 1946.
Gene was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fremont. He was also a member of the Fremont Masonic Lodge No. 15 A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rite Masonic Body of Omaha, Tangier Shrine Center of Omaha, Fremont Shrine Club, and he was a member of the Tangier Drum & Bugle Corps from 1968 to 1990. He was also a member of American Legion Post 20 of Fremont and had been a charter member and secretary/treasurer of the Morse Telegraph Club of Fremont.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marilynn, son Kent, his brother Duane, and an infant sister Elaine.
Survivors: 2 sons John and wife Margie Zimmerman of Tabor, Iowa
Thomas and wife Sheila Zimmerman of Council Bluffs, Iowa
daughter-in-law Judy Zimmerman of Claycomo, Missouri
7 grandchilden
4 great grandchildren
sister Clarice Christensen Magnuson of Fremont, NE
sister-in-law Susan Zimmerman of North Bend, NE
The memorial service will be at the First United Methodist Church, Fremont, at 11 AM Friday (Sept. 5, 2014) with the Rev. Greg Hall. The private committal will be in Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army, Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont, and the First United Methodist Church. There will be visitation with the family at the Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM.
online guestbook @ www.ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(5)
raymond slowinski
papillion, NE Thursday, September 4, 2014 sorry to hear about GENE passing away. Back in early 1940 s A few of us kids rode our bikes to Columbus from Duncan. And on the way back we wanted to see who ride the furthest without touching the handles. Gene and I were the only ones that did. Later in life we always talked and laughed about that. we both worked for the UPRR.GOD Bless HIM. Ray SlowinskiClarence Brunkhorst
Kearney, NE Wednesday, September 3, 2014 Gene's cousins and I would ride our ponies south of the platte River to Duncan to see him and all the other Ernsts in that area--late 1930s and early 1940s We lived on farms in Polk county----God's blessings to the family.Richard Behrens
Omaha, NE Wednesday, September 3, 2014 Gene was the founder and organizer of the C D Combs Memorial Chapter of the Morse Telegraph Club. He was able to attend the last annual meeting this year in April. His family has our sympathy.Richard Behrens
Current Chapter Sec/Treas
Renee Collins Held
Columbus, NE Tuesday, September 2, 2014 So sorry to read about Gene's passing. I had sent Gene a belated birthday card and he mailed back a real nice letter to me. My mom, Barbara Collins was a friend of your parents. Gene spoke at my mom's memorial service and we really appreciated his kind words. Peace be with you as you grieve your father's death. Hold tight to your memories and share them with your children and grandchildren. Peace be with you.John Filbert
Council Bluffs, IA Friday, August 29, 2014 Gene was my friend and will be missed. He led a full andgood life.
John Filbert