DANIEL ZILLMER
DANIEL ZILLMER
Daniel Lee Zillmer, a life-long resident of Jackson County, Wisconsin, and known to many as Diddle, died unexpectedly Nov. 10, 2022, at the age of 72. He was born June 27, 1950, son of the late Everett and Genevieve (Peterson) Zillmer, in Shamrock, WI.
After graduating from Black River Falls High School in 1968, he attended Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse, WI, and received a certificate in automotive technology in 1970. He met the first love of his life there, Judeen (Judy) Wolf, and married her Nov. 7, 1970, in Dorchester, WI. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1970, and they moved to Germany where he served for two years.
After returning, they made their first home in Shamrock, WI, and later moved to Millston, WI, where they began raising three daughters together until Judy preceded him in death in 1986. Being a single father was not always easy, but he set the selfless example of working hard to provide everything his family needed. He was lucky enough to find a life-long companion in Sharon Ferries and moved to Black River Falls, WI, where they spent the next 25 years of their lives together.
Following his return from Germany, he was employed at the Jackson County Iron Mine until their closure in 1982. He went on to work as a logger for several years before becoming employed at Fort McCoy as a heavy equipment operator, where he worked until retirement in 2010.
Dan was an avid hunter, a tradition passed down to him by his father. The love of that tradition fueled him to pass it on through mentoring many youth in hunting and the shooting sports. He also achieved his dream of owning and riding his Harley for years. For those of you with dogs, you know your dog might have loved him more than you. Although he loved spoiling all dogs, his dog Rosie held a special place in his heart. The most consistent thing about him was his desire to help others. If there was a person in need of anything, he was there to help. He was generous with his time and resources.
He is survived by so many who love him. His three daughters, Michelle (Sam) Shore, Carrie Zillmer and Amy (Mike) Spalding; Sharon Ferries and her three children, Eric (Theresa) Skogstad, Emily (Amy) Ferries and Michelle (Brad) Bires; and three sisters, Diane (Bob) Knapp, Cathy Zillmer (Gene Ruetten) and Cindy (Ralph) Scheuerell. With this legacy, there were also plenty of grandchildren to love, which he did with abundance. Nate, Connor, Annaliese, Julia, Declan, Oren, Kastan, Matt, Caleb, Maysn, McKenzie, Sawyer, Sven and Torin all have cherished memories of their grandpa. He was also blessed with many other family members who will go on to cherish his memory.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Zillmer; parents Everett and Genevieve Zillmer; and his dog, Rosie.
A visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 25, 2022 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home in Hixton, WI. A short celebration of life service will be held at 6 p.m. that night for all who wish to stay. We know this is hunting season, so know that blaze orange would put a smile on his face. Graveside burial service, with military honors, will be held Saturday Nov. 26, 2022 at Brookside Cemetery in Millston, WI, at 2:30 pm.
Dan’s biggest joy in life was helping those around him and making a difference where he could. He loved being a part of the greater Black River Falls community, and we have felt that love abundantly all this week. Thank you does not begin to express what it feels like to be so embraced by a community that meant so much to him. In his honor, there will be a trap shoot at the Black River Gun Club Sunday, July 9, 2023. We are hoping it just might be the biggest trap shoot Black River Falls has ever seen. We can think of no better way to honor our dad and hope you can attend.
The Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, 715-963-2311.