Dolores Zierden

Dolores J. "Mutz" Zierden, age 70, of New Munich, died peacefully surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer, on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at her home near New Munich.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 11 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church in New Munich. Parish prayers will be at 5 p.m. Monday evening.

Dolores Jane Mayers was born August 7, 1941 in Sauk Centre to Gilbert and Caroline (Wimmer) Mayers. She was united in marriage to Valerian "Larry" Zierden on August 25, 1959 in Holdingford. Mutz was a homemaker until 1991 when she started working at various jobs including, Stearns County Publishing and catering food to Jennie-O Foods. Mutz worked until being diagnosed with cancer in March of 2009.

Mutz was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich and the Christian Mothers. She enjoyed going to garage sales, gardening, watching old western movies and spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mutz was an avid Twins fan and and loved to read.

Survivors include her children, Connie Zierden of New Munich, Cindy (Reuben) Bertram of Spring Hill, Kevin (Barb) Zierden of Avon, Char (Travis "Woody") Fread of Freeport, Mike (Sharon) Zierden of Melrose, Keith (Carrie) Zierden of Freeport, Michelle (Lloyd) Parker of Avon, Matt (Karla) Zierden of Albany, Kristy (Steve) Schlangen of Paynesville, Stacy Zierden of New Munich; 19 grandchildren and one due in December and four great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Howard (Sue) Mayers of Apple Valley, Ray (Flo) Mayers of Conrad, MT, Marlene (Elmer) Keppers of Avon, Marie (Alex) Masiarchin of Hartford, WI, Nellie (Mike) Sumera of Waukesha, WI, and Rich Mayers of Albany; sister-in-law, Dianne Schlichtmann of North Dakota.

Mutz was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Larry Zierden on July 13, 1991; infant daughter, Beverly Zierden; and brother, Ralph Mayers.

Serving as urn bearer will be Christopher Bertram. Serving as cross bearer will be Amanda Zierden and scripture bearer will be Nathan Zierden. Mass servers will be Zach and Gabe Zierden. Gift bearers will be Marlene Keppers, Nellie Sumera, and Marie Masiarchin. Reader will be Darren Mayers and Matt Zierden will read the eulogy. Picture bearer will be Brock Zierden, angel bearers will be Mitchel Schlangen and Valerie Parker, and vase bearer will be Adam Bertram. Honorary bearers will be Mutz's friends and neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.Mutz's family would like to thank the Albany Area Hospital and Hospice, Masonic Cancer Center in Minneapolis, Sauk Centre Home Health Care, Fr. Roger Klassen, O.S.B., Fr. Schmitt, Deacon Rick Scherping, Linda Holm, and the Patton-Schad Funeral Home Staff.