Allen Dean Zimmerman, 87

Allen Dean Zimmerman, 87, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Logan Health, surrounded by his family. Dad was blessed to be living at home on the farm until his death. 

He was born in Kalispell on Jan. 10, 1939, to Valentine and Alice Zimmerman. Dad was a natural-born farmer and lived his entire life on the family farm he grew up on, raising dairy cattle and farming in Creston with his brother, Raymond, his nephew, Ron Zimmerman and son, Shawn Zimmerman. He attended Cayuse Prairie School and graduated from Flathead High School in 1957.

During his early years, when he had a break from the farm, Dad enjoyed many arduous hunting trips chasing the wildlife in the Swan Mountains, east of the farm. He was an avid outdoorsman and always happiest in the woods or with the livestock.

In 1966, he married Nancy Koenig and began a new chapter of his life, starting a family. Shawn, Dennis and Lisa were added to the farm shortly after, and he took great pride in teaching us everything he could about farming, machinery and enjoying the outdoors. No matter how busy Dad was, he always made time to take us to the hidden spring for a cold drink of water or fishing at the creek in the late evening after a long day of work. Dad was a pivotal force in our lives, always making time for reading bedtime stories and showing compassion and love as only our dad could. His kindness and forgiving nature got us out of a lot of trouble when we were kids.

After raising his own children, he was blessed with two grandchildren — his little angel, Lauren Woods and little trooper, Bryce Woods. Lauren and Bryce were so lucky to grow up next door to their proud grandpa, who loved making them sweet treats, working with them in the garden, and helping them to learn his quiet and compassionate ways.

Allen was very community-minded and served on the Cayuse Prairie School board and the Creston Fire Department board for several years. Dad made many lifelong friends through his involvement with these organizations, and Gary Mahugh, Bill Tidwell and the fire department volunteers many times repaid dad’s service, assisting with medical-related calls for mom and dad in their last years.

After retirement, Dad became a devoted member of The Church at Creston and loved listening to the sermons and engaging in the fellowship the Church offered. Pastor Kyle Winter was a true blessing to Dad and our family and provided us all with so much comfort, compassion and words of faith during the most difficult days. We know Dad has passed on to his Heavenly life, filled with the love that shone from him while on this Earth.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nancy Zimmerman; his brother, Raymond Zimmerman and his sisters, Evelyn Mattheisen and Jean Grainger. 

He is survived by his children, Shawn Zimmerman and Lisa Woods of Kalispell, Dennis Zimmerman of Missoula and his grandchildren, Lauren and Bryce Woods of Kalispell.

We will forever miss you, Dad, and will remember your always-smiling face and calm, patient presence, which we continue to try to implement in our own lives.

A celebration of life for both Allen and Nancy Zimmerman will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 1, at the Church at Creston. Pastor Kyle Winter will be leading the celebration of life.