Erika Zimmerman, 78, of Oak Harbor, Ohio, died on Sept. 11, 2016. 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. 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.
Then in 1968, she and Donald settled in Oak Harbor. She earn her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Toledo and also her Master's Degree in Recreational Therapy. She worked part-time as a recreational therapist at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky.
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.
In addition to her husband, Don, of 53 years, 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; grandchildren, Anna Zeitzheim, Jack Zeitzheim, Chance Milledge, and Alayna Hall, all of Oak Harbor; 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 and 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 fis 1-8 p.m., with family present from 1-4 and 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15, 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.
