James "Jim" Zipperer

James “Jim” Zipperer, 77, died June 22, 2022, after a long battle with congestive heart failure. He was born in Manitowoc on September 4, 1944, to Edmund and Elizabeth (Schiesl) and welcomed to the world by seven sisters. He graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School in 1962 and enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was a medic here and in Germany. He then earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and became Chancellor Edward Weidner’s administrative assistant. He later earned a master’s degree from UWGB and worked for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College until his retirement in 2008. Leaving the workforce gave him more time to pursue his hobbies: improving the home that he loved in the town of Cooperstown, caring for his Airedale and meticulously organizing his garage to accommodate restoring his collector cars and tractors. He recently helped to restore an antique threshing machine from the Zipperer farm in Whitelaw that was later displayed at the Pinecrest Historical Village in Manitowoc. Jim also served on the Green Bay City Council and the Brown County Board.

Jim is survived by his wife, Joanne; two children and three stepsons: Victoria (Klaas) Luiting, Seattle; Joseph Zipperer, Janesville; Steve Navarre, Green Bay; Mike Navarre, Eau Claire; and Dave (Miann) Navarre, Milwaukee; 11 grandchildren: Clara and Oliver Luiting; Abigail, Feona and Garrison Zipperer; and Sarah, Ben, Lilly, Liam, Maggie and Will Navarre; five sisters: Anna Mae Leiker, Rita Dunn, Joan Dewane, Bette (Jerry) Keil and Katye (Del) Ward; three sisters-in-law, Pat Ziefle, Judy (Don) LeMere and Jan Yagodzinski; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Grace Reddy and Bernice Smith; brothers-in-law, Richard Smith, Jack Reddy, Dale Leiker and Jerry Ziefle; and nephew, David Leiker.

Jim chose not to have a funeral service, but a Celebration of Life is planned at a later date. The family wishes to thank Heartland Hospice, Russell Kittell and especially Don LeMere, who made it possible for Jim to spend his final days at home.

Cotter Funeral and Cremation Care Denmark is assisting the family.