Clarence Zenzen

Clarence B. Zenzen, age 89 of Meire Grove died peacefully Thursday, December 8, 2005 at his home in Meire Grove.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 12 at St. John's Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Ken Thielman officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends and relatives may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. followed by St. Joseph's Society, Holy Rosary Society and Poor Soul's Society at 8 p.m. Sunday evening.

Clarence Zenzen was born August 7, 1916 in Meire Grove, Minnesota to Joseph and Anna (Tschida) Zenzen. He was united in marriage to Lydia Schmiesing on May 5, 1941 at St. John's Catholic Church in Meire Grove. The couple farmed near Meire Grove in Getty Township for 7 years and then moved to Meire Grove. Clarence was self employed as a truck driver hauling milk and retired in 1979. He was the custodian at St. John's Catholic Church for 17 years and the mayor of Meire Grove for 24 years. Clarence enjoyed blowing snow, mowing lawn and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Meire Grove, St. Joseph's Society, Holy Rosary Society and Poor Soul's Society.

Survivors include his wife, Lydia Zenzen of Meire Grove; children, Anna Mae Uphus and her husband, Steve of Hastings, Aurelia Schwanke and her husband, David of St. Cloud and Arthur Zenzen and his wife, Mary of Turtle Lake, WI; daughter-in-law, JoAnn Zenzen of Sauk Centre; 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, and sister, Alvina Brang of Meire Grove.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; son, Albin Zenzen; sisters and brothers, Mary Wenning, Theresa Messer, Clara Pajewski, Andrew Zenzen, Edward Zenzen, Alma Welle, Ann Bruce, Veronica Kleve and Betty Hewitt.

Serving as casket bearers will be Brian Uphus, Bruce Uphus, Bradley Uphus, Barry Uphus, Chris Zenzen and Daryl Zenzen. Serving as cross bearer will be Joey Zenzen and scripture bearer will be Debra Remaley. Honorary bearers will be the St. Joseph's Society. Gift bearers will be Sara Zenzen, Bethany Zenzen and Patty Jurisch. Mass servers will be Dylan Schmiesing, Briana Schmiesing and Brianna Meyer. Reader will be Pam Uphus.