Ernestine Zenzen

Ernestine Zenzen, age 91 of Elrosa, died Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at the Albany Area Hospital in Albany, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. Jeff Ethen officiating and Rev. Sylvester Kleinschmidt concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Parish prayers will be held at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Christian Mothers at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Ernestine Emily Ritter was born on November 23, 1917 in Melrose Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Joseph and Catherine (Vornbrock) Ritter. She was united in marriage to George Zenzen on September 14, 1943 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. Ernestine had lived and taken care of her family on the farm for over 60 years.

She was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa, Christian Mothers, and the Elrosa Senior Citizens. Ernestine enjoyed quilting, embroidering, and visiting with family and friends. She also loved baking cookies, especially sugar cookies with a chocolate star, which were her favorite.

Survivors include her children, Donna (Paul) Jenc of Long Prairie, Rueben (Jean) Zenzen of Melrose, Harry (Carol) Zenzen of Elrosa, and Donald (Judy) Zenzen of Elrosa; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; and brother, Clarence (Rita) Ritter of Melrose.

Ernestine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George Zenzen on October 27, 1997; children, Dorothy and Dorine Zenzen; granddaughter, Lindsey Zenzen; brothers, Roman, Gilbert, Albert, and Alquin Ritter; and sister, Irene Lahr.

Serving as casket bearers will be Michael Zenzen, Shaun Zenzen, Jamey Zenzen, Brian Jenc, Brenda Boyer, and Christi Jenc. Cross bearer will be Kayla Zenzen and scripture bearer will be Kari Uphus. Gift bearers will be Wendy Peterson and Mary Jean Jenc. Eucharistic minister will be Darla Boyer and reader will be Briana Worms.