The Colorado community is mourning the loss of Mark Alan Zimmerman, a beloved husband, father, veteran, brother, uncle and friend whose life was remembered for laughter, family devotion, hard work and a deep love of horses.
Mark Zimmerman passed away on September 6, 2026, at the age of 59. Born on February 13, 1967, in Eureka, South Dakota, Mark eventually built his life in Colorado, where he and his wife, Lana, enjoyed life on a hobby farm in Peyton.
For those who knew him, Mark was much more than the roles listed in an obituary. He was the person whose laugh could fill a room, whose jokes could turn an ordinary moment into a memorable one, and whose playful personality brought people together.
His family described a man who found great joy in the simple parts of life, especially time spent with the people and animals he loved.
Mark Zimmerman’s Life at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark Alan Zimmerman |
| Date of Birth | February 13, 1967 |
| Date of Death | September 6, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 59 |
| Birthplace | Eureka, South Dakota |
| Residence | Peyton, Colorado |
| Occupation/Role | U.S. Army veteran and hobby farmer |
| Military Service | United States Army |
| Wife | Lana Zimmerman |
| Daughter | Maria Zimmerman |
| Known For | Family, humor, horses, farming and military service |
| Funeral Date | September 16, 2026 |
A Childhood That Began in South Dakota
Mark was born to Earl and Vivian Zimmerman in Eureka, South Dakota. His family later moved to Wishek, North Dakota, where he was raised and eventually graduated from high school.
His early years helped shape the personality that family and friends would remember throughout his life. He developed a strong work ethic while also carrying a playful spirit that never seemed to leave him.
His siblings even gave him the childhood nickname “Sharky,” a name that remained associated with his fun-loving character for years.
Mark’s parents and his infant sister, Lisa Zimmerman, preceded him in death.
His Years of Military Service
After high school, Mark chose to serve his country by joining the United States Army.
He was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he served with the Field Artillery Half Section. His military experience also gave him an opportunity to combine his love and skill with horses with his service.
Mark was involved in breaking horses for military use, an unusual responsibility that reflected both his patience and his ability to work with animals.
His service also included participating in the Presidential Inaugural Parade for President George H.W. Bush, a memorable chapter in his military career.
For Mark, military service was not simply a line on his biography. It became part of the larger story of a man who valued responsibility, dedication and service to others.
A Family Man at Heart
Although Mark accomplished meaningful things during his lifetime, his family remained at the center of his world.
He and his wife, Lana, created a home in Peyton, Colorado, where they enjoyed life on their hobby farm. The property provided plenty of opportunities for Mark to spend time around animals and outdoors.
But perhaps the greatest source of happiness in his later years was his daughter, Maria.
Mark loved sharing his passion for horses with Maria and teaching her how to ride and compete in 4-H. Those experiences gave father and daughter memories that will remain important to the family.
His relationship with Maria also revealed another side of his personality.
He was never afraid to be silly for the sake of making his daughter laugh. Whether she wanted to dress him up, put stickers on him or practice makeup on him, Mark was willing to play along.
As Maria grew older, he continued finding ways to make her smile.
Those seemingly small family moments often become the memories people hold onto most after someone is gone.
The Humor That Defined Mark Zimmerman
One of the strongest themes in Mark Zimmerman’s obituary is laughter.
He was described as a lifelong prankster and jokester who had a natural ability to make people smile. His quick wit and contagious laugh were among the qualities that made him memorable to those around him.
That humor was not limited to special occasions.
Mark could make an ordinary day feel lighter simply by being himself.
His family remembered the playful names and jokes that became part of their shared language, including the humorous description of him as a “monkey tennager” when he became especially energetic and mischievous.
For the people closest to him, these memories are more than funny stories. They are reminders of the personality behind the name.
Mark Zimmerman and His Love of Horses
Horses were an important part of Mark’s life from his military years through his time on the family hobby farm.
His experience breaking horses during his Army service connected his military career with a skill and passion that continued long afterward.
In Colorado, Mark had the opportunity to care for animals and spend time doing something he genuinely enjoyed.
That love also became something he could share with Maria, making horses part of their relationship and family memories.
His life around the farm reflected the kind of person Mark was: hands-on, hardworking and happiest when surrounded by the people and animals he cared about.
A Legacy Carried by Family
Mark is survived by his wife, Lana Zimmerman, and daughter, Maria Zimmerman.
He is also survived by his brothers Michael Zimmerman and Dan Zimmerman, and his sisters Deb Hagerott, Sheri Engleking and Kim Marty, along with their families.
His nieces and nephews include Stephanie Zimmerman, Allison Cardenas, Jaclyn Iverson, Bexley Iverson, Alex Zimmerman, Austin Hagerott, Brenden Hardy, Brayden Engleking, Camden Engleking, Bryce Hardy and Liam Cardenas.
Beyond his immediate family, Mark leaves behind extended relatives, friends, neighbors and fellow veterans who shared different chapters of his life.
Each group will remember him differently, but the common thread is the same: Mark made an impression.
Remembering Mark Zimmerman Beyond the Obituary
It can be difficult to summarize a person’s entire life through dates and names.
Mark’s story is perhaps better understood through the things that brought him happiness: his family, his daughter, his wife, horses, his hobby farm, military service and the laughter he shared with others.
He was someone who appeared to find meaning in relationships and everyday experiences rather than needing grand moments to feel fulfilled.
For Maria, the memories of riding and competing in 4-H with her father will remain especially meaningful.
For Lana and the rest of his family, there will be countless smaller memories too, from jokes and teasing to ordinary days spent together at home.
Those are the pieces of a person’s life that often become most precious after their passing.
Funeral and Memorial Services
The family will gather to honor Mark Zimmerman on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Colorado.
Visitation is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Calhan United Methodist Church in Calhan, Colorado. The funeral service will follow at the same church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
A graveside service is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Peyton Cemetery in Peyton, Colorado.
A reception luncheon will follow at Calhan United Methodist Church beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The services will give family, friends, neighbors and fellow veterans an opportunity to come together and remember a man whose personality and presence touched many lives.
A Life Remembered Through Laughter
Mark Zimmerman’s death leaves an undeniable absence for the people who knew him.
Yet his family has chosen to remember the joy he brought into their lives, not only the sadness of losing him.
His contagious laugh, playful nature, love for his daughter, devotion to his wife, military service and affection for horses all form part of the legacy he leaves behind.
Some people are remembered because of a single achievement. Others are remembered because of the way they made people feel.
Mark Zimmerman appears to have belonged to the second group.
His memory will live through the stories his family tells, the laughter those stories bring and the everyday moments that remind them of the man they loved.
Disclaimer
This obituary was prepared from publicly available obituary and memorial information concerning Mark Alan Zimmerman. Details are presented as reported by the available obituary sources and are intended for remembrance and informational purposes. Funeral arrangements and other details may be subject to change, so readers should confirm directly with the family or funeral home for the latest information.