STAFFORD — Walter J. Zimmerman, age 92 years, of Stafford, Kan. and formerly of Great Bend and St. John, Kan., passed away at the Stafford County Hospital in Stafford on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 12, 2024. Walter was born on Oct. 21, 1932 on the farm west of Schoenchen, Kan. to Jake and Irene Zimmerman.  

He was united in marriage to Zita M. Basgall on Sept. 28, 1953 at La Crosse, Kan. The couple moved to Ellinwood, Kan. in 1953 and started their family – they then moved to Great Bend in the 1960’s and continued growing their family. Walter worked as a roughneck for Pickrell Drilling and later Duke Drilling both of Great Bend, and then worked as Oilfield Production Supervisor for Walters Drilling Company of Wichita, Kan. They later moved to Greensburg, Kan. for five years, where he was Oilfield Supervisor for TGT Petroleum based in Wichita. At the time of his retirement they moved back to Great Bend. Walter was an avid fisherman and hunter, and was mechanically inclined and enjoyed working on oilfield equipment. He was a longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church of Prince of Peace Parish at Great Bend.

Survivors include two sons, Tim (and Paula) Zimmerman of Sacramento, Calif. and Paul (and Lori) Zimmerman of Haysville, Kan.; one daughter Debbie Koehn (and her significant other David) of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; one sister Norma (and Laverne) Brungardt of Hays, Kan.; nieces and nephews. Walter was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Zita Zimmerman in May of 2023; one daughter Kathleen Sutherland; two grand-daughters Chasity Helms and Jennifer Koerner.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Aneesh Parappanattu officiating. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery north of Great Bend. Visitation will be at Charter Funerals in Great Bend from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, and then at the church on Saturday for one hour preceding the Mass. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Walter’s memory. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary may be viewed at http://www.chartergreatbend.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Charter Funerals

2115 Washington St.

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 19, 2024