The Reverend Leon E. Zimmerman, Loup City, Nebraska, departed this life on Saturday, February 2, 2008, at the age of 74.  He was born in Jamison, Nebraska, on June 15, 1933, to Harry and Martha (Ullrich) Zimmerman.  He attended Concordia, Milwaukee, graduating in 1969.  He continued his studies through the colloquy program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and was ordained in 1993.  Pastor Zimmerman served the following congregations during his ministry:  St. John, Magrath, Alberta, Canada (1969-1975); St. Matthew, Milk River, Alberta, Canada (1969-1973); Bethel, Vulcan, Alberta, Canada (1969-1973); Faith, Cardston, Alberta, Canada (1972-1975); Del Bonita (preaching station), Del Bonita, Alberta, Canada (1974-1975); Immanuel, Loup City, Nebraska (1976-2000); Immanuel, Merna, Nebraska (2001-2008).  Pastor Zimmerman served in many and various ways for district and Synod, including the district Education, Family Life, Youth, Evangelism, Adjudication, and Special Ministry Committees; Nominations Committee for Synod Convention; and Presidential Sub-Committee for Lay/Ethnic Ministries.

Pastor Zimmerman is survived by his wife, Emma (Hauser), Loup City; three daughters, Linda Zimmerman of Grand Island, Nebraska; Linett Obermiller of Loup City; and LaRae Oswald of Grand Island; four grandsons and two granddaughters-in-law, Jason and Kristy Obermiller of Loup City; Joshua Kuszak of Loup City; Clinton and Andrea Obermiller of Loup City; and Aaron Oswald of Grand Island; one great granddaughter, Riley Obermiller of Loup City; three sisters, Bernice Godley of El Paso, Texas; Vervil Kracht of Burke, South Dakota; and Donita Zimmerman of Phoenix, Arizona.  He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Leanne Zimmerman; grandson, Jeremy Kuszak; brother, Bert, and sister, Marion.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5, at Higgins Funeral Home in Loup City. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Loup City. Any pastor wishing to attend as an honorary pastoral pallbearer is asked to arrive at the church no later than 1:30 p.m. Pastors will not be vested.  Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Loup City, Nebraska, with military honors.

Letters of condolence may be written to Mrs. Emma Zimmerman, PO Box 501, Loup City, Nebraska 68853.