John 'Jack' Zimmer

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Zimmer, John "Jack" W. 77 of Brooklyn Park passed away peacefully with his loving family present. Survived by his loving wife, Elaine; daughter, Julie Zimmer and son, Brian Zimmer; grandchildren, Bergen, Dane, Cameron, Zach and Brock; sisters, Marilyn Braun, Char O'Brien; loving nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and John Zimmer; brothers, Dick and Bob Zimmer. During Jack's pre-school years his family lived on the near North side of Mpls. It was an ethnically diverse community and everybody got along. He attended Ascension, St. Cyril's and graduated from North High School in 1961. At 13, he started working for his brother-in-law at Braun's Bakery in Robbinsdale and knew he wanted to have his own bakery someday. Returning from the Army he worked at the Camden Bakery. It was there that he met and later married Elaine Teige. In 1967 he bought Filipek Bakery on Lake/Hennepin and in 1972 the Bungalow Bakery in the Zayre Store in St. Louis Park. When the store changed ownership in 1980, he vacated the bakery and stored the equipment, looking for a new location. From 1980-84 he worked at Lunds decorating cakes and added croissants to their menu. In September 1984 he opened Jack's Bakery and Coffee Shop in Brooklyn Park. Every sweet item in a bag or box carried a sticker: "Baker Jack says: Eat Dessert First! Life is uncertain" Business was booming and in 1993 an addition was added. He was a certified "Master Baker". Jack was active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota and National Baker's Associations for 30 years and a loyal member of the Progressive Bakers group. Jack was a perfectionist and inducted into the "Minnesota Bakers Hall of Fame". In 1994 Jack offered a tour of his bakery to 20 Russian and Siberian businessmen. They were awed by the "furnaces" ovens, full shelves in grocery stores and all the "single" homes. He received a key to the city of Murmansk. In 1999, after saving enough green dough, the bakery was sold. Volunteering and Traveling became top priority. In 2000/2001 ACDI-VOCA an overseas government assistance program, sent Jack and Elaine to Russia and Ukraine to help bakeries that were struggling after Glasnost. They have enjoyed hosting others in their home from around the world. Their retirement travels have taken them to 60 countries, and 49 states. In 2000 Jack became a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels through CEAP. He enjoyed the camaraderie with other drivers and training new ones. He respected his clients and gave them a tray of Holiday Cookies. Jack became a "Poster Guy" for MOW in 2017 as there was talk of cutting funds. A large, color pic of Jack delivering a meal appeared on the Saturday front page of USA Today with the caption "Here's the truth about Meals on Wheels." No cuts were made. Jack enjoyed spending winters in Naples, FL, boating on Lake Minnetonka, golfing on Edinburgh, attending sports and school events of his 5 grandkids and making special birthday cakes for F/F. Volunteering at the 3M Sr Championship every year was a favorite, He loved chauffeuring the pros around. Volunteering at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church was also very important. Working in the kitchen, helping with funerals and special fund raisers, Loaves and Fishes, men's work day, ushering, communion assisting, Men's Bible Study at Perkins, Grouplife... all kept him busy. After God and Family, it was the Vikings. Jack was a season ticket holder and his family celebrated his 73rd Birthday on the US Bank Stadium Plaza with a surprise Legacy Brick. It says "Skol Vikings! - Jack Zimmer - Brian and Boys, Fans since 1961" and is found behind the Vikings ship with Sports VIP's. Jack's regrets No Vikings Super Bowl win and No hole-in-one. He lived his life by the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule. Well Done Good and Faithful Servant! Abundant Thanks to the gifted doctors and support staff at the Mayo Clinic and our loving, supportive family and friends. A Celebration of Life 11 AM Thursday, July 15, 2021 (visitation at 10 AM) at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 7217 W. Broadway, Brooklyn Park. His service will be livestreamed at 11 AM at princeofpeacechurch.org. Visitation 5-8 PM Wednesday, July 14, at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel of Plymouth, 15800 37th Ave. N., Plymouth. In lieu of flowers, memorials to: Prince of Peace Church, Brooklyn Park; CEAP, Brooklyn Park; Mayo Clinic (PSC Research) 800-297-1185. Gearty-Delmore 763-537-4511 gearty-delmore.com

Published on July 11, 2021