Joseph Zimmerman

Joseph Zimmerman has been involved in the cheese business for over 40 years!

The Zimmerman name has long been associated with cheese making. Joe's father, Ben Zimmerman, Sr., immigrated from Switzerland to Daleyville, Wisconsin to make cheese in 1928. It wasn't long before he met and married the daughter of another Swiss cheesemaker, which continued the cheesemaking.

The second generation tradition began when the oldest son, Ben Jr., purchased half of a cheese factory in 1961. Soon after, the other three brothers (Joe, Al and Jim) joined in to help. Joe began working weekends and summers during his high school years and continued to work until he went to the Navy. In 1970, when Joe returned, all four brothers were working at the cheese factory. In 1971 "Zim's Cheese" evolved. In the 1980's "Zim's experienced immense growth. By 1984 "Zim's Cheese" was listed as a Wisconsin "Top 100" company and as the 33rd largest privately-owned business in the state and employed a total of 350 people.

Susan Wyttenbach-Lockard

Susan Wyttenbach-Lockard also has ties to the cheese making business. Sue's great grandfather, Gottlieb Wyttenbach was a cheese maker in Switzerland. In 1902 he learned there was a great demand for good Swiss cheesemakers in Russia and went there to take over a cheese factory. He remained there for 17 years until the Revolution. The Revolutionaries came one night and took over the cheese factory forcing Gottlieb and his family to leave in the middle of the night with only the clothes on their back. It took nearly a year for them to reach the Swiss Consulate and receive any help. Gottlieb's sister in law, who had immigrated to New Glarus, Wisconsin, sent them enough money to come to the United States. Soon after, Gottlieb again began to make Swiss Cheese.

In the 1980's, Sue also worked for "Zim's Cheese" in Blanchardville, selling cheese to restaurants and grocery stores in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

Zim's Cheese Scrapbook - Part 1

Zim's Cheese Scrapbook - Part 2

Zim's Cheese Scrapbook - Part 3

17 Years in Russia