Loren Odell Zimmer, 64, Kenmare, went to be with the Lord, Jesus Christ on January 29, 2008 while scuba diving in the Grand Caymans, BWI.

Loren was born on April 8, 1943 to Odell and Mildred (Haugstad) Zimmer at Kenmare, North Dakota. He, along with his sister, Linda and brothers, Harold and Philip, were raised in Rockford Township, Renville County on the family farm. He attended Rockford Township School through the eighth grade and then Dakota Lutheran Academy in Minot his freshman and sophomore years. He graduated from Kenmare High School in 1961, and married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Marie Johnson on June 6, 1965.

They both graduated from Minot State College in 1966, he with a B.S. degree in Business Education. He accepted a job in Bottineau High School teaching business and coaching basketball and golf. His son, Michael Loren was born April 11, 1970 at Bottineau. He completed his Master's degree at Utah State University in 1972. His daughter Molly Margaret was born December 6, 1972. He and his family moved to Minot in 1973 to pursue an accounting position with Eide-Bailey Accounting Firm, and also began farming with his father, brothers, and father-in-law, Elmer C. Johnson.

In the spring of 1976, they moved to Kenmare to pursue farming full-time and he also started his own tax preparation service. He sold his tax service to his friend, Bruce Johnson, in 1997. He continued to farm with his son until the time of his passing.

Loren was a longtime member of Nazareth Lutheran Church, where he served as Past President and Treasurer. He worked on the Ward County Water Board of Directors for over twenty years and was past president of the N.D. Water User's Association. He enjoyed spending summers and winters at the family cabin on Lake Metigoshe and attending Lake Metigoshe Church. Loren enjoyed golfing, doing bookwork, e-mailing family and friends, drinking coffee, hunting, teaching, debating, scuba-diving, haggling and talking to anyone and everyone. He took great pride in his farm and loved to travel with Margaret, family and friends. Loren enjoyed life to its fullest and loved his wife, children, and six grandchildren with all his heart. Thru God's promise, we will meet again.

His memory is blessed by his family : wife of forty-two years, Margaret; Children: Michael (Kristine) Zimmer, Kenmare and Molly (Eric) Hendrickson, Minot; Grandchildren: Lauren, Matthew, and Zachary Hendrickson; Megan, Kate and Jack Zimmer; Sister: Linda (Richard) McBride, Minot; Brothers: Harold Zimmer (Sue Roise), Minot and Philip (Gail) Zimmer, Kenmare; Nieces and Nephews: Rachel (Lee) Schneider, Joseph Zimmer, Christopher (Sommer) Zimmer and Chad Zimmer; and Margaret's Special Mother: Alta Johnson.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents: Odell and Mildred Zimmer, father-in-law and mother-in-law: Elmer C. Johnson and Margaret E. Johnson.

Celebration of Life Service : Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in Nazareth Lutheran Church, Kenmare.
Public Prayer service : Friday at 7:00pm in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment : Lakeview Cemetery, Kenmare.
Visitation : At the request of the family, there will be no reviewal, however friends may sign a memorial register on Friday from 2:00-7:00pm. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Nazareth Lutheran Church, Metigoshe Ministries or the Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church Rebuild Campaign.