Erika Zimmerman

Erika Zimmerman, 78, of Oak Harbor passed away peacefully on September 11, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 31, 1938 in East Prussia, Germany to Heinrich and Johanna (Froehner) Tetzlaff. Erika immigrated to the U.S. in1952 after World War II and her family settled in Minneapolis, MN. While she attended Ft. Wayne Bible College, she met her husband Dr. Donald “Don” L. Zimmerman, they eventually married on June 8, 1963, in Bluffton, OH. Then in 1968, she and Donald settled in Oak Harbor, OH. She went on to earn her Bachelors Degree from the University of Toledo and also her Masters Degree in Recreational Therapy. She worked part-time as a recreational therapist at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, OH and was a dedicated homemaker for many years. Erika was a loyal and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She enjoyed reading and studying, gardening and cooking, listening to good music and eating good food, sewing and her pets. She made much of her daughters’ clothing, costumes and doll clothes when they were young. She valued time spent with family and friends - laughing and having fun. Erika had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and had great spiritual influence on her daughters and grandchildren. Despite living with paralyzing injuries sustained from an automobile accident in 2003, she loved and trusted God. Over the years, Erika was an active volunteer for many local organizations and enjoyed helping others. In her later years, she was known for her tenacious spirit, wise counsel and commitment to prayer. She offered this wisdom and guidance for anyone who asked or was in need. Her “all-time favorite scripture” was, Proverbs 3:5,6. Erika was a former member of the Oak Harbor United Methodist Church and St. Paul’s United Church of Christ; and also enjoyed attending services at Grace Evangelical Church Oregon, Ohio. Our mom will truly be missed by many people, for many reasons, for many of years. In addition to her loving husband of 53 years, Don, she is survived by her daughters, Lisa (Michael) Miller, Jennifer (Scott) Zeitzheim, and Christine (Brian) Hall; grandchildren, Whitney (Garet) Bardall, Kelsey Miller, and Audrey Miller; great granddaughter, Everley Bardall all of Continental, OH; grandchildren, Anna Zeitzheim, Jack Zeitzheim, Chance Milledge, and Alayna Hall, all of Oak Harbor, OH; sister, Ilse (David) Phillips; brothers, Heinrich Henry (Linda) Tetzlaff, Helmut Hal (Marilyn) Tetzlaff, David (Kim) Tetzlaff, and Wolfgang Wolf (Kathy) Tetzlaff; uncle, Clemens Froehner, along with many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Hans Tetzlaff; Aunts, Elsa Froehner, Mariana Froehner; nephew, Tommy Phillips, and grandnephew, Danny Phillips. Visitation for Erika will be 1-8 p.m., with family present from 1-4 & 6-8 p.m., Thursday, September 15, 2016 at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 165 E. Water St., Oak Harbor. Private Celebration of Life service will be conducted at a later date. Memorial contributions for Erika may be directed to Stein Hospice, Sandusky, OH or donor’s choice.