Donald C. Zeimantz passed away Saturday, November 7, 2020. He was born August 30, 1938 in Reardon, Washington to Richard and Jeanette Zeimantz. He grew up in various communities throughout the Northwest including Genesee, ID, Rosalia, WA, Joseph, OR and Sunnyside, WA with his three siblings - Mike Zeimantz, Judy Marker, and Lynn Connor. He graduated from Rosalia High School. After graduation in 1956, he worked the summer months for local farmers and enrolled at Kinman Business University to study accounting. In February 1957 after running out of money for college, he joined the U.S. Navy to become a disbursing pay clerk. He served on the USS Wilkinson DL5 and the USS Herbert J. Thomas DDR833 both home port of Long Beach, CA. Shortly after transferring from the U.S. Navy in 1961 to the reserve, he returned to Spokane and entered into the banking field. He was honorably discharged on February 26, 1963. Don was very proud of his military service. At a singles' social, he met the love of his life, Mary Francene "Fran" Hoff and they married October 6, 1962. They had four children: Monica Cummins Ballenger, Don Zeimantz Jr, Steve Zeimantz, and Paul Zeimantz. He has 8 grandchildren and 5 great- grandchildren. He often said he must have done something right. He was very proud of his children who all became professionals and his grandchildren who followed in their parents' footsteps. Don and Fran were married 58 years. His career in banking spanned from April 1, 1962 until he retired on December 31, 2003. During his career, he worked for Washington Trust Bank, Eastern Washington Bank, The Wheatland Bank, Cowlitz Bank, and Columbia Trust Bank. Setting a great example for his children, he graduated from the American Institute of Banking with a degree in banking, then went on to graduate from the Pacific Coast Banking School in 1978 with a Master's Degree. He taught Principles of Bank Operations for 29 years. He was the second person in WA to be certified as a CRCM (Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager). He spent 25 years on the Washington Bankers Associations Compliance Committee. He helped start The Wheatland Bank in Davenport, WA where he was the Chief Financial Officer and later became the President/CEO. In 1996, he helped start the Columbia Trust Bank in Pasco, WA where he was the Chief Financial Officer. Don enjoyed everything about money. He enjoyed collecting coins, but his favorite thing was teaching young people about the history and meaning of American dollar symbolism. One of his goals in life was to visit all 50 States and in 2014 he and Fran accomplished his goal. Other hobbies included his involvement in his clubs: Heap Herders, Kiwanis and Elks. In his younger years Don enjoyed hunting deer, elk and birds. Quite often he would take his children on his hunts. Don was a devoted Christian man who attended church regularly at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Nampa, Idaho. He is survived by his wife Fran Zeimantz; his sister Lynn (Gary) Connor; his children: Monica (Bruce) Ballenger, Don Zeimantz Jr, Steve (Angel) Zeimantz, and Paul (Jennifer) Zeimantz; his grandchildren: Scott Ballenger, Shannon (Ben) Ballenger Gandy, Joel Cummins, Ashley Vorachack, Deven Zeimantz, Erich (Heidi) Zeimantz, Cassy Zeimantz and Natasha (Dustin) Regis; great- grandchildren: Ember Gandy, Violet Zeimantz, Zeke Regis, Jacob Regis, and Gideon Regis; and many other family friends including Ron Cummins and Nang Vorachack. He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Janette Zeimantz; his brother Mike (Veronica) Zeimantz; and his sister Judy (Buzz) Marker. Due to COVID concerns a private service is scheduled for immediate family only. Donations in his memory may be made to the Nampa Boys and Girls Club.
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