Francis Zimmerer Jr
April 27, 1951 - March 27, 2025
Obituary
Francis Anthony Zimmerer, Jr was born on April 27, 1951 in Topeka ,Kansas to loving parents Frank and Mae Matousek Zimmerer. He was welcomed by his older sister Victoria and eventually joined by siblings Steve, Sally, Teresa, Mary, Mathew and Mark.
In 1954 the family settled in Billings and quickly became part of the Catholic community. Frank's Catholic upbringing was central to his life and he remained a devout Catholic until his death.
Frank attended Billings Catholic schools including St Pius X and Holy Rosary. In high school Frank was a member of both football and basketball teams. He was a member of the choir as well as the elite singing group, the Highlighters. He had an amazing singing voice. Frank graduated from Billings Central in 1969. He was offered a full ride scholarship to Rocky Mountain College for voice and had dreams of auditioning at the Metropolitan Opera when his life was blown up by mental illness.
During these years his family began to notice some uncharacteristic and puzzling behaviors. Inexplicably, Frank quit going to school and got a job as a DJ at the campus radio station at EMC. It may have been his effort to stay in touch with the music. Frank was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia and Manic Depression. The family watched with sorrow and fear as Frank began to lose touch with reality and with himself.
All throughout his life, Frank was a generous soul. If he had money and you needed some he would hand it over, no questions asked. Even if you were a stranger. He shared of his time and talents with all of his siblings, from teaching and practicing tennis at Broadwater school with Sally, to teaching us how to drive a stick in his old car, available to play games anytime and honestly exploring questions about life. Frank always put others before himself. Always. He was the one person I knew who truly understood the message of Jesus and acted it out everyday of his life, while carrying his own cross.
Despite his many challenges, Frank remained a loving son, a loving brother, and a loving uncle to his many nieces and nephews, asking about them by name and forming special relationships with some.
We all will miss Frank terribly but are happy for him to be with his Lord at last.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to NAMI 4301 Wilson Blvd Suite 300, Arlington VA 22203 or Billings Mental Health Center 2125 8th Ave N, Billings MT. 59101. Our hope is to help other families get the help they need.