Dohn “Beeler” Reuben Zimmerman, age 84, passed away surrounded by family on July 28, 2025. Dohn was born on July 30, 1940, in Shawano, a son of the late M.J. and Delilah (Schoenick) Zimmerman. On May 16, 1964, he was united in marriage to Carol Buelow at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Dohn graduated from Shawano High School in 1958. After graduation he joined the Army and served in Europe during the Berlin build-up working on military construction projects. He later returned to Shawano and the family excavating business. He met his bride shaking liar’s dice at Art Moede’s Bar one summer’s night. Together they raised three children, Dean, Darci, and Staci. When he was younger he enjoyed racing stock cars, and later in life he enjoyed spending time fishing and hunting. He spent the majority of his life running the family excavating business, where he took immense pride in his work. He also volunteered for 19 years in the Wescott Fire Department. Dohn’s love of fishing took him on many camping excursions with friends and 20 years of consecutive trips to Canada with Carol. Upon retirement he and Carol enjoyed spending time at their cabin in Eagle River with family and cherished “up north” friends. Dohn was a man of steadfast faith. He was an outdoorsman with a strong land ethic. He was a duck hunter, and deer hunting was a family tradition. Dohn was a gardener and had many beloved pets. He was a mentor to many at work and in life, creating lifelong relationships with employees and others he worked with. He once said that he wanted a license plate saying, “Dr. Dirt.” Dohn ran heavy equipment like an artist and could see what needed to be done on a job site just by eye. He shaped the landscape of many people’s lives. A favorite pastime of his, well into his retirement, was cutting and splitting firewood. He lived his life with an attitude of not having any would’ve, could’ve, or should’ves. He instilled a love of the outdoors, appreciation for all of God’s creations, the benefits of a good day’s work, and the importance of family and faith in his children. Dohn was the spreader of great stories, laughs, unconditional love, and words of wisdom to all, but especially his grandchildren. He was a consummate bullshitter and shared many laughs with so many close friends who he was thankful to have shared his life with.
Dohn is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol; his three children, Dean (Kim) Zimmerman, Darci (Eric) Swenson, and Staci Rubenzer; nine grandchildren, Kylie and Drew Zimmerman, Jared, Seth, and Dane Swenson, Heather (Sean) Hoppenjan, Erica (Mark) Pomerening, Carissa (Bryan) Trainor, and Derek (Alex) Kramer; his sister, Donna Nordin; his sister-in-law, Cindy (Mike) Melau; brotherin-law, Tom (Judy) Tuma; and his nephews and nieces, Mike Nordin, Scott (Mary) Nordin, Nola (Jim) VanZeeland, Tom (Corrina) Tuma, Nola (Jeff) Puissant, Tim Uelman, Jeff Uelman, Amanda (Adam) Passow, and Katelyn (Luke) Zajicek.
Dohn was preceded in death by his infant brother, Dean; mother, Delilah; father, Mike (M.J.); stepmother, Milly; in-laws, Harold and Anita Buelow; brother-in-law, Robert Nordin, sisters-in-law, Corine Tuma and Nancy Retzlaff; niece, Sandy Nordin; and dear friend, Dick Schardt.
A memorial service for Dohn R. “Beeler” Zimmerman will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Vicar David Kaiser will officiate. Visitation will begin at the church on Friday at 9:00 am and continue until the time of service. Shawano AmVets Post #10 will conduct military honors at the church. A reception will follow at the Shawano Lake Golf Course where you can join the family for a dilly-dilly in Dohn’s name. Donations will be dedicated to the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center research program in Dohn’s name.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc. of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com. Dohn and his family would like to thank the caregivers at St. Vincent Hospital. A special thank you is extended to everyone with Unity Hospice for their compassionate care.
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