Lawrence Ziemer

Lawrence Edward Ziemer joined Jesus on September 11, 2018.  He was walked home by his loving family singing his favorite hymn, Amazing Grace.

A Memorial Service honoring Larry will be held at 3 PM, on Saturday, October 6, 2018, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 201 Mankato Ave., Winona, MN.  Viewing will be one hour prior at 2 PM. We are blessed to have Chaplin Carol Shaffer presiding over the service, and Julie Szamocki will grace us with several of Larry's favorite hymns and songs.  If you wish to share a short memory, you may write it, and Chaplin Carol will be happy to read it at the service for you.  After the Memorial Service, dinner will follow at the Winona Athletic Club on the corner of Mankato Ave. and East Fifth St.  Larry will be laid to rest with full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

A special thank you to the great staff from Seasons Hospice and Whitewater Golden Living.  We appreciate the respect, love and help you so graciously bestowed on Larry.  He certainly loved to entertain you with his stories and sense of humor!  Thank you, John Mulyck, for the guidance and care in arranging the Memorial Service and for answering so many questions.

Larry led an interesting and eventful life.  He was born to Lila Voss and Joseph Tust on February 24,1922, and was just 16 months old when his father died of double pneumonia.  Lila was remarried when Larry was 8 1/2 years old to William Ziemer.  Larry had three siblings, William II, Joan, and Lillian.

When Larry was 21, (March 1943) he entered the United States Naval Air and became an Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class.  He was the last surviving member of Patrol Bombing Squadron 27. The crew - Eazy 5 - 12 men, PBM - 5 - Martin Marineer 118" Wingspan, 86'4" hull with a weight of 28 tons. They used torpedoes, bombs, depth charges, sonar, 3 twin 50 cal. machine gun turrets and 2 single 50 cal. waist mounts.  They sunk 6 enemy ships and survived a torpedo attack against a Japanese cruiser and field 5' gun, and Japanese gun boat they later set afire in the Okinawa area. Surviving a suicide mission, Larry was awarded the 2nd highest honor the Navy bestows. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and World War II Victory Medal, along with the Combat Aircrew Insignia, Honorable Service Lapel Pin (Ruptured Duck), Discharge Button and Honorable Discharge in October 1945.

Larry returned to the Winona area where he married Delores (Dodie) in 1946, and lived in the Minneapolis area where they begot two children:  Janet Marie in 1947, and Judy Joy in 1948.  The young family moved to San Diego Coronado Shore when Larry reenlisted in the Navy in July 1949, and returned to active duty during the Korean War from October 1950 to July 1953.  Larry was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, and the National Defense Service Medal, along with an Honorable Service Discharge. The family returned to Minnesota, and had a home built in Lexington, MN.  In 1954, Delores and Larry separated, and a divorce followed.  Janet and Judy then lived with their mother for the remainder of their childhood.

Larry found new happiness when he met and married Ruth in 1963. They begot 4 children:  Sharon Marie in 1963, John Edward in 1964, Joseph Charles in 1968, and Brenda Joy in 1969.  Larry and Ruth purchased a three bedroom rambler in Goodview in 1964. They had a series of adventures and lived in several locations including California and around the Winona and Rochester areas.  Ruth and Larry later decided to divorce in the early 1970's.

Larry explored many different careers during his lifetime, and was especially proud of being a carpenter and being able to build furniture and work on properties; he also tried his hand at vacuum sales, counter top and flooring sales, farming, and many other ventures.  He had a great love of airplanes, and often bought and sold airplane parts and even built a few.  He loved finding treasures at auctions and collecting many musical instruments.  He enjoyed many wonderful singing concerts and was passionate about the King James Red Letter Bible.  He was known to give out Salvation tracts and coins wherever he went.  He supported several ministries, and often traveled to hear certain preachers.

Larry was preceded in death by his dad, Joseph Tust; mother, Lila Voss Tust Ziemer; maternal grandparents, Henry Voss and Selma Ludwig Voss; maternal great-grandparents, John Ludwig and Minnie Harmon; paternal grandparents, John Martin Tust and Ida Knudson; and paternal-great grandparent, Joseph DePlonty.  He was also preceded in death by step brother, William Ziemer II; and preceded into heaven by his great-granddaughter, Faith Constance Douglas.

He is survived by his six children: Janet Svard, Judy Joy (Richard), John Ziemer (Tammy), Sharon Benike (Jerry), Joseph Ziemer, and Brenda Ziemer; grandchildren:  Nil‎s Michael Svard, Stefan Svard (Jessica), Terrill Joseph Jasicki, Jennifer Baumeister (Joe), HannaMaria Joy (Eric Douglas), Blaire Benike, Brooke Benike, Denielle Groby and Jessica Ziemer, Max Ziemer, Alex Ziemer, Levi Ziemer, April Williams, and Ashley Ziemer; great-grandchildren:  Eli, Malachi, Joey, and Brianna Svard; Elizabeth, Kelsey, Ahsha, Thomas Joseph Jasicki, Hogan Jasicki, Cody Townsend, Benjamin Baumeister, Nolan Baumeister, Levi Alexander Douglas, MinnaFaye Joy Douglas, Aiden Nederhoff, Azeem Sheikh, and Adeena Sheikh.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Larry’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.