Francis Zimmerer

If you were ever called “Beautiful and Vivacious” or “Handsome and Debonair” you were probably speaking with Frank. And he was being very Frank about that! Frank was born in Lincoln, NE on Jan 18, 1925 to Dr. and Mrs. E. G. Zimmerer and awoke at the Gates of Heaven Monday morning Sept 25, 2017 at the age of 92. He attended St. Francis deSales and Cathedral in Lincoln and St. Mary's in Centerville, Iowa schools through the 8th grade and spent his freshman and sophomore years at the Brunnerdale Seminary in Canton, Ohio before finishing at Dowling High in Des Moines, IA. He served in the military medical corps in England from 1943 to 1946 during World War II, after which he attended Drake University in Des Moines while holding three part-time jobs. Kinney Shoe Co transferred Frank to Omaha where he met the love of his life Salamae (Mae) Matousek who he married in 1949 and spent the rest of his life with. Frank worked for Kinneys in Salina and Topeka, KS, Minneapolis, Dubuque and finally in Billings starting in 1954. He was active in Junior Chamber of Commerce, Civitan Club, on the founding board of Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Christian Family Movement (CFM) from 1957 -1963, Knights of Columbus and numerous church activities. Frank and Mae operated two restaurants in Billings proper and also a Supper Club/Dinner Theater (der Schwartzwald) on I-90 (Exit 469) from 1968 to 1988. Frank was later employed by the Billings School District as a crossing guard for several years where he protected and entertained students and bypassing traffic with his assorted hat collection and good humor. He also transported cars for Avis and Hertz car rentals and eventually was the official greeter for incoming travelers at Logan International. He was known for his wearing many humorous caps and became known as the “Fish Hat Man of Billings”. His parents, parent's in-law, sisters Louise and Mary Celestine, brothers Phillip, Edmund and Tom, sister-in-law Lorraine Matousek and son-in-law Manny O'Neal preceded him in death. He is survived by Salamae, brother-in-law Norbert Matousek of Grand Island, NE, children: Vicki Scott, Frank Jr, Steve (Brenda), all of Billings, Sally (Steve) Rosenthal of Vail, CO, Teresa O'Neal of Missoula, Mary (Ted) Derheim of Lewistown, Matt (Mary) of Chandler, AZ and Mark (Sue) of Boise, ID. Also surviving are 24 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Our Husband, Father, Grandfather and Uncle will be greatly missed for his kindness, simplicity, generosity and love for everyone no matter their walk of life and will forever be our “Hero”. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to NAMI or St. Vincent DePaul.