Donald Zenzen

Donald R. "Donny" Zenzen, age 60 of Elrosa, died Friday, October 14, 2011 at the Melrose Area Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 19 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. Jeff Ethen officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Donald Richard Zenzen was born September 12, 1951 in Melrose, Minnesota to George and Ernestine (Ritter) Zenzen. On August 27, 1977 he married Judith "Judy" Cherne at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony, Minnesota. Donny was a farmer; it was always in his heart. He also was employed by Mid Con Asphalt Company until 2000 when he became disabled from a gravel truck accident.

He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa and the Elrosa Coffee Club. Donny enjoyed making rosaries, playing with the loves of his life, Katelynn and Emily, driving his Kawasaki Mule, boat rides and fishing, visiting his friends, and ordering the Peanut Buster Parfait at the Dairy Queen. He was looking forward to meeting the new Zenzen grand baby that is on the way. Donny's quote was "Rueben, you have to open the gate for me."

Survivors include his wife, Judith "Judy" Zenzen of Elrosa; children, Shaun (Angela) Zenzen of Sauk Centre and Kari (Shaine) Uphus of Elrosa; granddaughters, Katelynn and Emily Uphus; brother and sister, Donna (Paul) Jenc of Long Prairie and Harold (Carol) Zenzen of Elrosa; and sister-in-law, Jean Zenzen of Melrose.

Donny was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Rueben Zenzen on Oct. 2, 2011; and infant triplet sisters, Dorothy Zenzen and Doreen Zenzen.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jason Schmidt, Craig Wuertz, Glenn Gerads, Jamey Zenzen, Michael Zenzen, Wayne Jenc, John Reimann, and Russell Cherne. Cross bearer will be Justin Middendorf and scripture bearer will be Briana Worms. Honorary bearers will be Tommy Seifermann, Jimmy Wehlage, Tommy Loxtercamp, Dave Primus, Dennis Deters, Donny Lenarz, John Olmscheid, and Donny Leukam. Gift bearers will be Kayla Zenzen, Heather O'Neal, and Tammy Lieser.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Albany Area Hospice.