John Zimbrick

John Zimbrick passed away on January 4, 2026, leaving behind a legacy that exemplifies generosity, unwavering integrity, and a life devoted to lifting others. Throughout his almost 100 years, he embodied the sentiment, “We make a living by what we get.  We make a life by what we give”.    

 John was a child of the Great Depression, born on a farm in Beardsley, Minnesota, to Lloyd and Mary Zimbrick in 1926. John and his brother Howard woke up early to hand milk the cows before riding their horses to the one room schoolhouse. Often their lunch was lard and sugar sandwiches; they had to follow the fence line on the way home due to dust or snow storms. It was a tough childhood, but he never complained.

At 17, he left the farm to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. After boot camp in California, he shipped out to the battlegrounds of South Pacific during World War II. Like many of his fellow Marines, he was proud to serve our country but never talked much about his experience.

John attained his two-year degree from the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota (where 30 years later he would be recognized as Alumni of the Year.) One of his Marine buddies, Harry Kubiak, suggested he join him in Gary, Indiana to look for work.  Harry had a niece, Patricia Kubiak, and well, the rest is history. John would tell you that marriage was the best decision he ever made. John and Pat were married for 72 years before she passed away in 2023. It was a wonderful love story and was the foundation for all their success.

As a young man in Gary, he was employed as a ticket taker at the Palace movie theater, a pin setter at a bowling alley, and a steel worker. One day he answered an ad looking for salesmen at Lou Ehlers Ford in Gary, Indiana. John would tell you that it was the second-best decision that he ever made. John worked for Lou Ehlers in Gary, Milwaukee, and then Madison. In 1965, he bought out Lou Ehlers Buick in Madison and became an automobile dealer at the age of 39. With his wife at his side, the business grew. John worked late 5 days a week and all day Saturday. Pat would hold dinner until late at night or take dinner to him. On Sundays, since they couldn’t afford a cleaning service, they mopped the floors and cleaned the dealership at 21 South Park Street. Today, the Zimbrick Automotive Group has 16 franchises and over 1000 employees.

John looked at his professional success as an opportunity to enrich the lives of others. He started a profit-sharing plan in 1966 and established an employee-only profit sharing committee to oversee the fund. Countless employees were able to comfortably retire; John always enjoyed hearing the stories of their retirement adventures. He also invested in the education of employees, through a focus on personal enrichment and serving the customer. John was an active member of many dealer boards and committees over the years, even making a presentation on customer service to the General Motors Board of Directors. He served on the General Motors University Board of Advisors, the Isuzu Advisory Board, the Buick Marketing Board, and the initial Saturn Franchise Operations Team. He served his local dealers on the Board of the Wisconsin Automobile Dealers. During his term as Chair, he visited every new car dealer in Wisconsin to better understand their needs and concerns.

John was grateful to the community that supported him and his professional success.  He strongly believed in “paying his civic rent”, which continues to be one of the core values of Zimbrick. He held many leadership roles, including service with the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Dane County (Chair of 1967 Campaign), American Red Cross, Madison Art Center, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Ronald McDonald House, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, and Dane County Heart Association to name a few. John and Pat were quiet givers to many capital campaigns and other causes in the area.

John was proud of his family. He was an outstanding role model for his sons, Tom and Mike, and supported them as they navigated their own personal and professional stories. He was the best dad and mentor. Together with Pat, he always made adventures with his grandchildren fun and memorable whether here in Madison or in Florida where they spent their winters for more than 25 years.

Over the years, John was blessed to have an amazing team of physicians and others care for him.   In 1975, he had quadruple bypass surgery; common today, but experimental back then. He was forever grateful for that cardiology team of Dr. Bob Henderson and Dr. George Steinmetz, who gave him a new lease on life.  Dr. Orest Kostelyna and Dr. John Phelan, his current physicians, have tirelessly helped John maintain an amazing quality of life.  The family would also like to thank the staff at Attic Angels, and special caregivers Jeri Dobson and Chad Hutchinson.

John is survived by his sons Tom (Marykay) and Mike; grandchildren John, Leisa (Nick Palm), Joel (Charlotte Hogan), Nikky and Ella; great granddaughter Florence; and nephews Dennis (Sharon), Rob, and Jodi (Bob Peterson).

Memorials may be made to the Cathedral of St. Bernard in Madison, SSM Foundation, Agrace Hospice, or the charity of your choice.

Dad, we miss you but know you and mom are happy to be together again.  You will be forever in our hearts.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the CATHEDRAL OF ST. BERNARD PARISH CENTER, 2438 Atwood Ave., Madison with Fr. Michael Radowicz presiding and priest friends of the family as concelebrants. Visitation will take place from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, January 9 at Ryan Funeral Service Legacy Center, 6728 Mader Dr., Madison and on Saturday morning from 9:00 am until holy Mass at the cathedral parish center. Luncheon to follow Mass.

To view this obituary or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Service Legacy Center

6728 Mader Drive

608-274-1000