Visitation For Theodore “Ted” Ziemer Will Be Between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Today at Ziemer Funeral Home-East

Ted Ziemer, 84, died on April 11, 2019

Ted was born on February 21, 1935, to the late Theodore and Camilla Ziemer. Ted was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law Sharon and Bill Higgins, and his brother-in-law Larry Daves.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years Clare Daves Ziemer; his two daughters and sons-in-law Ellen and Scott Stratman of Evansville and Kate and Matt Cavallero of Pasadena, CA; and his son and daughter-in-law Ted IV and Lisa Ziemer of Evansville. He adored his nine grandchildren, Marley, Samuel, Leila, and Patrick Stratman, Chase Evers, Luca Cavallero, and Ted V, Linus and Hugo Ziemer. He is also survived by his three brothers and their wives, Jerry and Patty Ziemer, Ed and Barbara Ziemer, all of Evansville, and Pat and Debi Ziemer, of Louisville; as well as his sister-in-law Diane Pettit of Bellport, NY and many nieces and nephews.

Ted graduated from Reitz Memorial High School in 1952 and St. Louis University in 1956. After being stationed in Germany, while serving in the Army for two and a half years, Ted came home and attended law school at Indiana University in Bloomington, graduating in 1962. Ted started his law career as an associate in a small firm and was later a founding partner and instrumental in the growth and development of Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders LLP. Ted practiced law for over 50 years. He especially enjoyed serving as the City Attorney for the past 6 years.

Ted devoted much of his life to community service and worked tirelessly to better Evansville and help those in need. Never one to toot his own horn, Mayor Winnecke recently said of Ted, “he was the most prolific and persistent fundraiser the City of Evansville has ever known… If there was a cause of distinction, Ted Ziemer raised money for it.” Ted was instrumental in the growth of St. Mary’s Hospital (St. Vincent’s), serving as President of its Foundation for over 20 years. Through his efforts, St. Mary’s campus expanded greatly under his leadership. In addition, he oversaw the creation of the Cornette Ball and the Heritage Open, which both continue to thrive today.

A parishioner of Holy Rosary Catholic Church for 50 years, Ted proudly served and graciously gave both his time and treasure to the church. Ted chaired the campaign to build the current church when he was 40, and some 40 years later, answered the call to chair the campaign for a significant church expansion. In 2007, Governor Mitch Daniels appointed Ted as a Trustee of the University of Southern Indiana. Again he was key to major fundraising campaigns and the growth of that campus, eventually serving as its Board Chairman. Seeing the expansions of both Holy Rosary Parish and the USI campus was a great source of pride for Ted.

Over his many years of philanthropic endeavors, a small sampling of his bounteous work included chairing capital campaigns for the Cancer Society, the American Red Cross, Southern Indiana Public Broadcasting and the United Way. Ted served as President and was a Life Member of each of those, along with the SW Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Evansville Museum, Evansville Philharmonic, and the Evansville Country Club, among many others.

Another of Ted’s passions was his municipal work and specifically his involvement with the Vanderburgh Republican Party. Getting his first taste, after an appointment to the Vanderburgh County Safety Board in the early 1970s, where he enjoyed the perks of “carrying a badge”, Ted kicked off a lifetime devotion to politics. Win or lose, he remained undaunted in his support of enumerable candidates – his favorite being Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, a friend for over 30 years. Working as Chairman of Finance for the Vanderburgh Republican Party was another of his proudest accomplishments.

In honor of his many achievements, Ted was awarded the Rotary Annual Civic Award in 1987. In 2018, Governor Holcomb bestowed upon him the distinction of Sagamore of the Wabash, and he was most recently granted the “key to the city” by Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, for his spearheading of the downtown Mickey’s Kingdom playground.

Ted’s social life was not to be outmatched by his civic and professional life. In his 30s, he became the “Z” in the “famous” MOKAZ birthday group, forged from 5 friends, with consecutive birthdays between February 17-21. Throughout the years, these friends traveled and celebrated birthdays in a style all their own – most recently celebrating with their respective families at a birthday brunch, a mere few weeks ago.

In his personal life, Ted’s talents and interests were immense. He was a voracious reader and lover of movies. It was not unusual for him to be juggling both a fiction “page-turner” with a voluminous historical non-fiction work at the same time. He took his adventures into real life with travels throughout the United States and Europe. His fondest memories are of his trips to Sanibel Island, New York City and Long Island. He loved taking his children to beaches, museums, Broadway shows, and Yankees games. He never missed reading the New York Times and seeing Ted and his wife Clare tackle the crossword puzzle was a sight to behold. He had a green thumb and took great pride in his backyard garden and sunroom, taking measures to ensure his beloved roses and orchids would survive each year. Ted was devoted to fitness and was an avid distance runner. Even in his eighties, he spent many mornings attending training sessions at Tri-State, long before the sun came up.
Ted’s spirit, generosity, and infectious personality will be greatly missed. He was loved by all who met him and had a knack for making even those he just met feel as special as a lifelong friend. He held his friends close to his heart with loyalty like no other. His strongest love though was for his dear family, his kids, and grandkids whom he doted on, and most importantly, his precious wife of 55 years.

Donations may be made to the St. Vincent’s “Ted and Clare Ziemer Society” Hospital, 3700 Washington Ave, Evansville, IN 47714 which helps women and children that are patients in the hospital; the University of Southern Indiana, 8600 University Blvd, Evansville IN 47712, and Holy Rosary Church, 1301 South Green River Road Evansville, IN 47715. Visitation will be between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 15th at Ziemer Funeral Home – East, and from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, on Tuesday, April 16th. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Father Bernie Etienne and Priests of the Diocese officiating.
Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Condolences may be made online at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com.

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