Joseph J. Zimmerman, age 89 of Helena

Joseph John Zimmerman

July 10, 1932 – May 30, 2022

Joseph “Joe” Zimmerman passed away peacefully on May 30, 2022, in Helena, MT at the age of 89. He was born July 10, 1932, in Helena, MT, the son of Joseph Bernard and Amelia Zimmerman.

As a youngster growing up in Helena, he had a lot of chores and animals to tend to. However, he did find time to play with his friends, ride bicycles, learn carpentry, play the accordion, and reportedly get into a bit of mischief. He attended Cathedral High School, where he graduated in 1950.

After high school, Joe worked as a car inspector for the Northern Pacific Railroad and served his country, enlisting in the Helena Army National Guard. He served in the National Guard from 1951 to 1956, which included two years (1953 to 1955) of active duty in the Army at Camp Hanford, Washington. His most significant duty assignment in the Army was Section Leader of the D battery 519^th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. After active duty, he returned to Helena to complete his National Guard responsibilities.
Joe married Mary Jane Holdgrafer in 1952 and was married for 62 years until Mary’s death in 2014. Joe and Mary raised their family in Helena. In the early years of their marriage, Joe worked as a cabinetmaker for Yuhas Millwork and then began a 30-year career as a designer and drafter for the Montana Department of Transportation. He worked in road design, bridge design, and other sections within the Department. Some of his work included drafting plans for interstate and state highway bridges. He retired in 1992 as an Engineering Design Supervisor.

Throughout their marriage, Joe and Mary invested in rental property. With their five children, they expended a lot of “sweat equity” into this family business. Mary managed the books and rented units, while Joe designed and remodeled. As the children grew up, they worked alongside Joe. Over the years, their endeavors expanded to several apartment units, duplexes, and single-family houses throughout the Helena area. Perhaps most importantly, Joe and Mary wanted to leave each of their children a legacy of work experience with a strong work ethic.

In the 1970s, Joe began taking real estate appraisal courses. After his retirement from the Highway Department, Joe started his own appraisal business and continued working until 2014. He used his drafting talents to make his appraisals stand apart from the ordinary.

Joe loved to work, but still found time for hobbies and activities like furniture making, whitling, raising cows, feeding and watching birds, trying out new restaurants, taking long Sunday drives or the occasional out-of-state trip, and sapphire and gold mining. He enjoyed listening to accordion music, especially polkas, and attended accordion festivals throughout the Northwest. He loved driving his four-wheeler around his property to help him with irrigation and managing cattle.

One of Joe’s greatest attributes was his love of reading. He was an avid reader throughout his life, even during his working years. He thoroughly enjoyed Western novels and construction magazines. Recently he was reading books on Montana history.

Most importantly, Joe was devoted to his Catholic faith and his family. He regularly attended church and served as lector for many years. He loved his entire family. He was great at giving advice when asked and even when not asked. He often backed up that advice with hands-on assistance, to make sure the advice came to fruition.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane. He is survived by his daughter Karen (Steve) Durgin of Spokane Valley, WA; sons Mike (Gail), Terry, and Jeff of Helena, MT; and son Vince (Dan) of Denver, CO. He leaves behind grandchildren Greg (Brenda) Durgin of Star, Idaho; Phil (Sofia) Durgin of Fort Worth, Texas; Julie Sakaguchi of Helena; Kelly, John, David, Tim, Steve, Teresa, Kevin (Josselyn), James, and Lee Anne Zimmerman of Helena; and Alicia Zimmerman of Great Falls. Great-grandchildren include Riley, Kasen, Nora, and Samantha Durgin; Maci and Jacob Sakaguchi, Kamri, Taylor, Lillyana, Lois, Keiton, Kali, and Payslee Zimmerman; Kendra (Keith) Paulson; and Marissa (Gavin) Carlson. He was predeceased by his brother Bernard Zimmerman, sister Lillian Zimmerman, grandson Bryan Zimmerman, and special friend Mary Lou Eggan.

A Celebration of Life is planned for St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Helena on Wednesday, June 8 at 10:00 A.M. followed by a graveside service at Resurrection Cemetery, Helena. Please sign the online guest book at https://retzmemorials.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (http://www.mspoa.org) or the Lewis and Clark Humane Society (https://lchsmontana.org).

Service Schedule

Rosary

6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday June 7, 2022

Retz Funeral Home

315 E. 6th Avenue

Helena, MT 59601

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Funeral Mass

10:00 a.m.

Wednesday June 8, 2022

Saint Mary Catholic Church

1700 Missoula Avenue

Helena, Montana 59601

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Burial

Following the Funeral Mass

Wednesday June 8, 2022

Resurrection Cemetery

3700 North Montana Avenue

Helena, Montana 59602

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