Justin M. Zimmer

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), Justin Zimmer 50, Bismarck, passed away on July 14, 2025.

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 1919 N 2nd St., Bismarck, ND. Burial will follow at noon at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. A livestream of the Funeral Mass will be available on the church's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdLhyRWcZhBJs8vI9MnnAYw

Visitation will be on Sunday from 4-6:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with a prayer service starting at 6:00 PM.

Justin Michael Zimmer was born on June 10, 1975, in Grand Forks, ND, to Timothy and Judy Zimmer. The family moved to Bismarck, where Justin attended Northridge, Hughes Middle School, and graduated from Century High School in 1994. Throughout high school, he stayed active in various activities, including basketball. From a young age, Justin had a lively social life — always stirring things up with a bit of mischief, but in a way that made him fun, lovable, and easy to be around.

Following high school, Justin pursued higher education at Bismarck State College before transferring to the University of North Dakota through the ROTC program, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in 1998. It was during his time working for Bismarck Parks and Recreation that he met the love of his life, Jodi Klein. They were married on October 23, 1999, at Corpus Christi Church in Bismarck, beginning a life together filled with love, adventure, family, and more moves than most people make in a lifetime. Justin would have moved the world for Jodi — there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her.

Justin served honorably in the United States Army, with his first duty station at Fort Carson, Colorado, in March 1999. His remarkable military career took him to various duty stations including Virginia, Italy, Germany, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, Washington, South Korea, and ultimately back to Bismarck as the ND Senior Army Advisor to the Army National Guard (SRAAG).  All of the moves and deployments weren’t done just by Justin. As their family grew, Jodi and their children, Jack, Jewel and Joseph made all the moves and went everywhere they could with Justin and awaited his return during his three deployments. Justin officially retired from the United States Army on April 1, 2021 in Bismarck. He was working at Cloverdale as Director of Formulated Goods, for the past four years, another place where he nurtured and grew friendships.

Ever committed to personal growth and learning, in 2011, he earned his Masters of Logistics and he just recently started to pursue a degree in Golf Course Management, reflecting his love for the game. Justin's passion for golf, a pursuit that truly flourished during their time in Oklahoma, became a cherished cornerstone of his life. As a proud member of the Apple Creek Country Club in Bismarck, it served as his happy place. He golfed every chance he got with friends and as a family- the Zimmer’s would often be found on the course together. He devoted time to the Veteran Golfers Association, combining his love for the sport with his commitment to helping fellow veterans.

Justin was an inspiring father, teaching his children the value of work hard-play hard. He was a coach and an active participant in various booster clubs, supporting his children’s endeavors. He was a natural connector, always bringing friends together, especially when he returned home from assignments.

He is survived by his wife, Jodi; kids, Jack, Jewel, and Joseph; parents, Timothy and Judy Zimmer, Sun City West, Arizona; Sister, Jodi DePree, Fargo and her children, Paige, McKenna, and Andi; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bill and Nina Klein, Ashley, North Dakota; sister-in-law, Heather (Doug) Harrah, Oklahoma and their children Olivia, Will, Sam and Camille, along with several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was proceeded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ted and LaVerne Zimmer and his maternal grandparents, Morris and Olive Hagen.

Memorials are preferred to North Dakota Chapter of the Veterans Golfers Association (VGA) or the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.