Obituary of Merlin Lowell Zimmerman

Merlin Lowell Zimmerman, 89, of Hermantown MN, died on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Essentia Hospital in Duluth of natural causes.

Merlin was born in McGregor MN on January 11, 1936 to Myrl and Irene (Mackrill) Zimmerman. Merlin worked as a printer at the Cook County News-Herald, Davidson Printing, and retired from the Duluth News Tribune. He was a past member of Hillside United Methodist Church. He was a bit of a jack of all trades when it came to home improvement projects, of which most were completed without incident. Some of the things he enjoyed most over the years included rockhounding, hiking, hunting, snowmobiling, boating, spending time at “The Shack” on Island Lake, traveling in the RV, snow birding to AZ, and playing cards with the card group. Mostly Merlin was a hard worker and respected role model for his 3 sons. Merlin married Charlene Miller, his high school sweetheart, on August 4, 1956.

Merlin is preceded in death by his wife Charlene, his parents, infant sister Darlene, and infant great-granddaughter Natalie.

Surviving are special friend Elaine Johnson-Hess of Shell Lake WI; 3 sons, Steven (Shari) of Duluth, Greg (Diane Kauppi) of Hermantown, and Mark (Cheryl) of Duluth; brother Dale (Jackie) of St. Francis MN; 5 grandchildren, Greg Jr (Jen) of Mounds View MN, Joel (Kimberly Crouse) of Webster WI, Amanda of Duluth, Tomas (Amanda) of Little Falls MN, and April (Craig) of Superior WI; 8 great-grandchildren, Austin, Tanner, Nolan, Daniel, Colin, Hailey, Caleb, and Ainsley; and 1 great-great-granddaughter, Genesis.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025 from 10 am until the 11 am service at Cremation Society of MN, Duluth, 4100 Grand Ave, Duluth MN. Afterwards there will be a reception at the same location. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association or Hillside United Methodist Church.