Donald Theodore Zilmer of Aberdeen passed away Saturday, December 1st, 2018 at Grays Harbor Community Hospital. He was 85. Donald was born on March 9, 1933 to Otto and Lydia Zilmer in Belgrade, MN where he grew up. He met his wife Kathy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN as both were recovering from surgery. Kathy and Donald married on January 16, 1976 in South Dakota.

In Minnesota Donald attended school in Belgrade and Brooten and was a member of the Evangelical Church where he was confirmed and taught Sunday school. After his move to Washington in 1983 he attended Rosburg's Valley Bible Church.

Donald was a jack of all trades. He was a lifelong farmer, worked 20 years at Reserve Mining, worked at a sheltered workshop, owner of Green and Things store, and a parts manager for Car Service. He retired as a grounds keeper for the Naselle Youth Camp. In his spare time he enjoyed reading, playing cards, gardening, fishing, decorating for all holidays and best of all spending time around all of his great friends!

Family was very dear to Donald and he loved hanging around and talking to each and every wonderful and loving person. He would often say that his daughters and friends were the best in the world!

Donald is survived by his daughters Monica (David) Potopas, Melanie Matilla, Debby Colangelo and Denise (Joe) McLeod; daughter in-law Carol Perkins (Steve); brothers (Elvis) Arvin (Helen) Zilmer and Gerald (Margaret) Zilmer; sisters Phyllis (Adam) Kaiser and Evangeline (Shorty) Rhodes; grandchildren Greg, Deana, Ryan, Nick, Derek, Gabe, Carmen, Tasha, and Amy; great-grandchildren Isaac, Isaiah, Rylan, Morgan, Alex, Madie and Milo; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Kathy Zilmer; sons Steven and Wayne Zilmer; parents Otto and Lydia Zilmer; brother Clarence; and sister Dorothy.

A celebration of Donald's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at Valley Bible Church, 4723 SR4 West, Rosburg, WA. To share memories or express condolences please visit http://www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com.

--Paid Obituary