Chester Winfred Zimmer

Chester Winfred Zimmer was born on March 15, 1913 in Banks, Idaho. He was the only son of Carl and Evie Zimmer. He had three sisters, Florence, Beulah and Jewel.

Chet was schooled in Lewiston, Idaho. He worked the family cherry orchard in the ‘30s. He played football and graduated out of Lewiston High School. He spent years trapping and working on ranches. He studied welding before the war in Portland, Ore. and worked in shipyards there.

He always tells of the time he over-generated the acetylene tank and blew up the welding shop. Fortunately, he was alone and no one was hurt. He served in the Philippines in World War II.

He met Betty Hahn in 1939-40 in California. He married her and brought her to Polson, Mont. in 1947. After making the trip here a few years previous he fell in love with this valley and they lived here for their remaining years.

He is survived by his four children; Lloyd Kilman, his stepchild of San Francisco, Calif., Richard Joseph Zimmer of Pablo, Mont., Carolyn Zimmer of Van Nuys, Calif., and Kenneth Zimmer of Washington. Also, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Nona Kilman; granddaughter, Stephanie; and his wife Betty Zimmer.

Chet owned Flathead Plumbing for many years. He was always pointing out homes and saying “I plumbed that one in 1952” or some year he would quote. They also sold appliances and were respected business people in the town of Polson.

He and his sons built the original KOA on the East Shore of Flathead Lake. They labored and worked and made a good living there. He single-handedly built a home for him and Betty on the West Shore at the ripe old age of 65. It was a beautiful dwelling. He was proud of his handiwork. He loved hunting, fishing, and he loved his family. He had huge gardens and would travel to the Shodair Children’s Home with truckloads of food for the children. His cherries were the best on the West Shore according to all of his grandchildren. He loved to make sauerkraut and have parties with his and Betty’s friends.

Chet and Betty snow birded to Arizona for many years and traveled extensively to Mexico several times. In 1985, they traveled to China. Alaska was on their list of favorite spots to visit also.

Chet was a member of the American Legion and a World War II veteran.

They sold their home and settled in Pablo, Mont. with their son, Dick, in 1989.

They moved to St. Joseph Retirement Home in 2006. They spent the last years of their lives in St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Ronan, Mont. They were well cared for and loved it there.

We will miss “Grandpa Zimmer.” He always had a smile and the gold in his mouth was impressive!

Visitation was held on Wednesday afternoon at Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. Graveside services were conducted Thursday, Nov. 17 at Lakeview Cemetery.

Messages of condolence can be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home considers it a privilege to care for the Zimmer family.