Sylvester Zenzen

Sylvester J. Zenzen, age 91, of Elrosa, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, July 30, 2010 at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 3 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. Jeff Ethen officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Catholic Order of Foresters will pray at 7 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7:30 p.m. Monday evening.

Sylvester Joseph Zenzen was born January 15, 1919 in Elrosa, MN to Henry and Elizabeth (Tschida) Zenzen. He married Anna Primus on June 23, 1941 at St. John's Catholic Church in Meire Grove. The couple farmed in Lake Geroge Township, Stearns County until retiring in 1982. They moved to Elrosa in 1988 and then to Melrose in 2006. Sylvester enjoyed being with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After retirement, he enjoyed woodworking, craft shows, fishing, and going on trips. Sylvester was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa and Saints Peter and Paul Court 1908 Catholic Order of Foresters.

Survivors include his wife, Anna Zenzen of Melrose; children, Marcy (Sylvester) Klaphake of Meire Grove, Delores (Kenneth) Jenc of Elrosa, Janet (Willie) Boeckers of Sauk Centre, Eugene (Kathy) Zenzen of Coon Rapids, Mary Ellen (Dennis) Boeckers of Sauk Centre, and Elaine Zenzen of Sauk Centre; 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; sisters, Regina (Werner) Caspers of Meire Grove and Bernadette Fyle of Meire Grove.

Sylvester was preceded in death by his parents; and grandson, Michael Boeckers; great-grandson, Gregory Klaphake; and brother-in-law, Walter Fyle.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jeffrey Klaphake, Duane Klaphake, Jayme Klaphake, Steve Jenc, Joshua Boeckers, and Dustin Boeckers. Cross bearer will be Michelle Kortan and scripture bearers will be Annette Fischer and Melissa Welle. Gift bearers will be Janell Boeckers, Emily Boeckers, and Maria Wolbeck. Reader will be Angela Gregory.