- Date Of Birth: January 2, 1934
- Date Of Death: January 8, 2015
- State: Illinois
Darell C. Zimmerman, 81, lifelong area farmer, died at his home Thursday, January 8, 2015, with his two daughters at his side. He was born January 2, 1934 (1-2-3-4 as he was fond of saying) in Rock City to Clay and Guida (Thoren) Zimmerman. He graduated from Orangeville High School in 1951, where he met the first love of his life. Darell and Alyce Abraham were married on June 15, 1952.
They farmed side-by-side on the farm on Walnut Grove Road and raised their two daughters. Alyce died September 26, 1984. In 1990, Darell met the last love of his life. He married Delores (Rose) Michaelis in Durand on August 15, 1992. After ten years enjoying their retirement with family, friends, and travel, Delores died December 15, 2002.
Darell spent the last years of his life on his second farm spending time with his family, tinkering with his tractors, enjoying his beloved timber, and creating birdhouses and other wood crafts in his workshop.
Darell is survived by his daughters Christine Zimmerman and Cathleen (Richard) Varner of Freeport; his brother Robert Sr. (Dorothy) Zimmerman of Orangeville; stepsons Kurt (Chris) Michaelis of Durand, Kevin (Mary) Michaelis of Freeport, Kenny (Diane) Michaelis of Orfordville; grandchildren Nathan and Sarah Imobersteg (Alanna, Mallory, Ethan) of Platteville, Brad and Kira Metz (Simon, Sam)of College Station, TX, Doug Cox (Sara Ludwig) and Troy Cox of Freeport, Ryan and Ashley Varner (Tailor, Sidora, Sloan), Donny and Amanda Varner, Chad Varner (Cash) all of Iowa, Jon Michaelis of Durand, Megan and Jake Huck and Beth Michaelis of Hazel Green, Shane and Beth Boger (Claire, Elisa) of Rockford, Karey and Jay Cook (Jaydon, Khya) of Roscoe, Kevin and Natalie Boger (Liam) of Poplar Grove, Chad, Casey and Janel Arneson of Orfordville; nephews/nieces Robert Jr. and Denise Zimmerman (Emma, Kyle) of Rock City, Mark and Tammy Zimmerman (Dustyn, Clayton, Mallory) of Grand Haven, MI, and Scott Zimmerman of Minneapolis; in-laws Dwayne and Carrie Rose, Jack and Barb Rose, Evelyn Wingler, of Wisconsin and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and life-long friends (here’s looking at you, Ray Bowen).
Darell is also survived by the special young man who moved onto his farm and then into his heart, Rick Reed, Rick’s life partner Sara, and Abby, Zack, and Mitch. Darell was preceded in death by his parents, his wives Alyce and Delores, an infant daughter, his in-laws Gilbert and Alma Abraham, his uncles Leonard and Vernon Thoren, and a host of family and friends. The family wishes to thank our Monroe Hospice Angel Lisa, the friendly clerk at the Juda Cheese Store, and our beloved coffee girl at the Red Apple in Monroe.
