Thomas "Tom" J. Zellmer

Thomas Joseph Zellmer passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, September 20th. He was preceded in death by father, Harry, mother, Rose, as well as brothers, Jack, Phil and Jim along with sisters, Betty, Patricia, and Marydell.

Tom is survived by his sister, Theresa (Dick) his loving wife Jackie, children, Kari (Chris) and Chris (Jennifer) as well as grandchildren, Mackenzie (Aaron), Meghan (Bailey), Grace, Tommy and Jack.

Tom was born to Harry and Rose Zellmer on November 10, 1946 in Minneapolis. He was the 7th of 8 children, and was a loving son, brother, cousin and uncle through all the years. 

Tom grew up in Minneapolis where he attended St. Bridget’s grade school, DeLaSalle High School, and then on to the maroon and gold of the Minnesota Gophers he loved so much. Tom received his undergraduate degree and masters from the University of Minnesota, and completed his formal education with his Ed. S. (Educational Specialist) Degree from the University of St. Thomas.

Mr. Zellmer started his career in education at St. John’s in Little Canada. He was hired to teach his favorite subject, Social Studies, but that was just the beginning. Mr. Zellmer loved education, all of it. Yes he taught social studies, but he also coached multiple sports, was involved in many other extra-curricular activities, and ran the St. John’s Diner at the Minnesota State Fair. He cherished St. John’s for giving him his first teaching opportunity where he quickly became a student favorite, made fast and close lifetime friends with the staff and administration, and set the foundation for the next 47 years in education.

From St. Johns Mr. Zellmer was hired at Good Shepherd Catholic School as principal where he served 38 years. In that time he saw many changes like Good Shepherd going from a K-8 school to a K-6 and helping Benilde St. Margarets establish a junior high, a merger to Parkvalley Catholic School, and then dissolving the merger and reverting back to Good Shepherd. Regardless of the school’s name, Mr. Zellmer was indeed the good shepherd of Good Shepherd Catholic School. He built a community where all were truly welcome, all had every opportunity to learn, and all were loved like family. He touched thousands of lives in immeasurable ways while always – ALWAYS – starting with the students, then the staff, parents, and friends of the school and parish. 

Mr. Zellmer truly loved the students. He loved keeping them guessing which tie he’d be wearing on what day. He loved teaching the Kin-dee-gart-ners the Minnesota Rouser (and loved it even more if the parents had gone to Wisconsin or Iowa). He cherished his Fridays reading to the kids. He reveled in cooking hundreds of hot dogs and scorching his arms at the marathon and serving “Untidy Josephs” at family fun night during Catholic Schools Week. Mr. Zellmer also took immense joy in the Christmas Concert his teachers worked so hard on, and the students performed so angelically, and he would burst with pride each and every year at the bittersweet graduation ceremony. Mr. Zellmer never wanted attention or any accolades – he believed his teachers, his staff, and especially his students were the stars and he was just along for the ride. And oh what a ride it was….

As much as Tom loved teaching and being a principal, his family was his true pride, his joy, his passion and his first love. Tom met Jackie Skow at Daytons Department Store and a true love story was born. They were married May 23, 1970 and just celebrated their 55th anniversary last May. Jackie was Tom’s partner in life in every sense of the word. She was his anchor, his inspiration, sometimes his antagonist…, but always and forever the love of his life. Together they navigated children, family trips, holidays, weddings, funerals, grandchildren, and everything else life could muster in between. They did it with grace, humor, and compassion. They set an inspiring example on how to navigate life together.

Tom and Jackie have two children, Kari and Chris. Dad was so proud of them from the day they were born until the day he passed. He loved having them in his school, coaching them, guiding them, being there for them in all circumstances, but most of all he just loved being their dad. That was his most important job, and his most cherished job. Being a dad was the absolute BEST – until he became a Beepee.

“The Twins” as Mackenzie and Meghan were known at Good Shepherd made him a grandpa - lovingly called Beepee - for the first time. He called those girls each and every night from the time they came home from the hospital until they were well out of high school to say, “I love you, moon and back” He missed maybe 30 nights in 18 years. Beepee loved watching them play all the sports, and was always their biggest fan. Beeps also loved Bailey, Meghan’s husband, and Aaron who will marry Kenzie in about a week. These two young men had high standards to be allowed to marry one of “his girls”, and each of them did just that with Beepee welcoming them to the family with open arms.

Grace was the next grandchild. Beepee loved watching Grace play soccer and hockey. He would always make sure he and Grammie had their blankets for the arenas, and loved the pre-game “meetings” for hockey with Chris and Jen. As Grace developed her goalie skills, Beepee loved watching her play, and would tell all who would listen, and even some who didn’t, that his granddaughter was the goalie for River Falls! He loved the road trips to see the games, and did his very best to never miss a game. Beeps and Grammie even travelled to Spain with Chris and Jen and the team to watch her play! Those were some cherished memories as well.

Next came Tommy, Beepee’s namesake, and the first boy grandchild. Beeps loved having a grandson, and he kept the tradition of calling each night with Tommy. Tommy still ends every call with, “moon and back”. He was a permanent fixture at baseball, basketball, and football games. Beepee was so excited when Tommy was named captain of the BSM football team his senior year. Beeps struggled, but he was determined to make it to one last football game when Tommy was captain, and he did. The “cherry on top” for Beeps was when Tommy received the President’s award from Benilde St. Margarets. He also loved having Tommy come over to do “chores” for him around the house, and then give very specific directions on how to put away the decorations or the Christmas lights. These two peas in a pod shared a bond that will live on forever with Tommy.

Jack is the last grandchild, and Beepee loved watching him play multiple different sports like soccer and hockey as he was growing up. As Jack was participating in the different sports he discovered a love of running and endurance sports. He stands out on the Blaine cross country, Nordic, and track teams. Beepee was beaming with pride as he announced Jack was named captain of all three teams for his senior year at Blaine High School. He also loved saying the Jack was looking at all the “Georges” for college. Georgetown, George Washington, and George Mason are all on the list. Beepee loved this and was so very proud.

Tom’s spare time was spent reading and following his Gophers, Twins and Vikings. He would read the newspaper, and yes, he actually continued to have it delivered to the house! He also loved books of all sorts. His favorites fluctuated between historical novels, nonfiction accounts of wars and battles of all kinds, and of course the thriller murder-mystery books that he’d finish in a day. Tom read anything and everything, and would gladly share any book he had in his library.

Tom enjoyed retirement but always found ways to keep busy. He continued to serve on a panel at BSM, he met with friends for lunch, traveled with Becky and David both around town and across the country, and of course, sports – sports – sports.

Thomas Joseph Zellmer led a full and complete life rooted in faith, and personified in his actions each and every day. “Well done good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:23 You will be missed by all. 

Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM, Friday, September 26 at the Church of Saint Mary of Lake, 105 Forest View Lane North, Plymouth.

Interment Gethsemane Cemetery.

Visitation 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday, September 25 at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel of Plymouth, 15800 37th Avenue North, Plymouth and one hour prior to the Mass at the Church.