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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Wildred 'Zip' Zipperer
WILFRED "ZIP" ZIPPERER
Cedar Rapids
Wilfred "Zip" Zipperer, 94, a longtime resident of Cedar Rapids, passed away Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Funeral Mass: 11 a.m., Tuesday, at St. Patrick Catholic Church by the Rev. Ivan Nienhaus. Please join the family for a luncheon at St. Patrick Catholic Church Parish Hall immediately following the service. Private family burial: Cedar Memorial. Friends may visit with the family on Monday from 12 to 6 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home.
Zip is survived by his children, Sheryl (Chip) Eaton and Dave (Cindy) Zipperer; and granddaughter, Alyssa Zipperer.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Lil; and his son, Robert Zipperer.
Wildred was born on May 25, 1924, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Alex and Helen Hlina Zipperer and graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1942. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II and fought on the beaches of both Anzio in Italy and southern France. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters, and the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal, which is the highest French Order for military and civilian merits. On March 2, 1946, Zip married Lillian Kudrna at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. He worked at Harper & McIntire Company, Sanitary Farm Dairy, and in 1962 joined the Baker Paper Company, which he bought in 1983. In 2016, he retired at the age of 92. Zip was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus 909 and the VFW Post 788.
Zip never met a stranger, which served him well in both his professional and personal life. His love of talking to people made for many lifelong friendships that he truly cherished. He taught us not to measure success in life by material things, but rather by being positive and loving to others. Zip saw only the good in everyone.
He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, the Green Bay Packers and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Zip was a loving husband, father, grandfather and loyal friend to everyone he knew. He will truly by missed by all.
Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick Catholic Church or the charity of your choice.
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