Ronald Zillmer

Ronald Zillmer, age 85, of Woodville, Wisconsin, died Monday, March 6, 2023 at Park View Home, Woodville.

Visitation for Ron will be on Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Woodville.

Funeral service for Ron will be at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 19 following the visitation.  The service will be livestreamed on Zion Lutheran Facebook Page.

Burial will be in Lone Pine Cemetery, Woodville.

Ron was born December 6, 1937, to Paul and Nora (Eitland) Zillmer in Baldwin Township, St. Croix County, Wisconsin.  He attended the Sunny Side country school through eighth grade and then attended Baldwin High School, graduating with the Class of 1956.  He entered the U.S. Army in 1958.  After basic training he was sent to Washington State and in 1960 he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserves.  He attended Vo-Tech school in Eau Claire and studied machinist/tool and die making.

Ron had met Marilyn Hillstead at a dance after high school. They kept in touch when he was in the service and on September 17, 1960, Ron married Marilyn at Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville.  They lived on a hobby farm just outside of Woodville all their married life where Ron raised beef cattle and did custom work, combining and swathing for farmers in the area.

He worked for Dough Boy Industries in New Richmond for 18 years and later 3M in Menomonie for 20 years.  He retired  December 31, 1999. He always said “I haven’t worked a day since Y2K”.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling with his 5th wheel, his beef cattle, and spending time up north. Ron was very good at hitting the dance floor with Marilyn, they could waltz around the floor like no other. Singing in church and participating in the variety shows for Syttende Mai were also a passion. He helped Marilyn with making Scandinavian goodies and apple pies in the fall.

Most family and friends referred to him as Ronnie. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and was known for his big heart and his hearty laugh.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife Marilyn; and recently granddaughter Kayla Stone; sister Doris Moe; sister-in-law Karen Riley; other in-laws: Edward and Duane Hillstead; Scott Ducklow; sisters and brother-in-laws Lucille (Glenn) Preble; Bernice (Eugene) Achterhof; and Arlene (Roy) Somsen.

Survivors include children: Judy (Terry) Stone of Baldwin, Tim (Lisa) Zillmer of Lakeville MN, Greg (Kelly) Zillmer of River Falls; grandchildren: Nathan and Chelsea, Cody, Kallie (Trent) and their daughter Ivy, Connor, Meghan & Colin; brother Lennie (Rochelle) of Baldwin; in-laws: Bonnie (Bob) Klanderman; Dianne Ducklow; Greg Riley; Allen Moe; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ron’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Burial will be in Lone Pine Cemetery, Woodville.

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