Douglas Dean Zimmerman

Douglas Dean Zimmerman of Fairbury, NE was born August 7, 1951 in Omaha, NE.  His parents were Willie & Laraine (Meyer) Zimmerman of Fairbury.  He was baptized November 25, 1951 and confirmed April 11, 1965 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury where he was a life-long member.

Doug grew up on a farm a few miles east of Fairbury attending District 63 and graduating from Fairbury High School with the class of 1969.  As a youth, he played little league baseball during the summers. He was active in 4-H & FFA.  In high school he was on the football and track teams.  He enlisted in the National Guard in 1969.  He left the guard in 1976.

Doug married JoAnn Ahrens on May 6, 1972.  This union was blessed with the birth of 2 children, Korinne & Riley.  They were married for 50 years.

He began his farming career at the age of 9, helping with the daily farming and chores.  He farmed for 48 years before moving in to town in 2008.  After moving to Fairbury he worked at the Thies Sandpit for 3 years.

Doug enjoyed spending time outside hunting, fishing & pistol shooting.  He belonged to the Practical Pistol Association shoot out of Lincoln & Omaha for many years.  He was a history buff & collected prehistoric rocks, bones, teeth & tusks.  He was always happy to give a quick history lesson to anyone.

Much enjoyment came from cars & drag racing.  He started racing in 1970 at Manhattan, KS and continued there until the track closed in 2019. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix from a combine to a lawn mower. He was the owner of Doug’s Automotive for 20+ years, selling high performance car parts from his garage.

He loved spending time with family and friends, especially his grandchildren.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Willie & Laraine Zimmerman and father-in-law & mother-in-law Herbert & Wauneta Ahrens.

He is survived by his wife JoAnn, daughter Korinne Zimmerman of Lincoln, son Riley (Krystal) Zimmerman of Phillipsburg, KS, grandchildren Dakkon, Andi & Wyndham Priko of Lincoln, Kiley & Jake Zimmerman of Phillipsburg, KS, sister Debra (Douglas) DeWald of Gretna, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.

The family will greet friends Friday evening March 3, 2023 , from 6 – 8 at the funeral home.  Memorials will go to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com