William "Bill" Zenzen

William J. “Bill” Zenzen, age 89 of Elrosa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday evening at the church.

William John Zenzen was born April 30, 1935 in Dickinson, North Dakota to Richard and Clara (Dehmer) Zenzen. Bill served as Military Police in the U.S. Army from 1955 through 1957. He was united in marriage to Bernice Rooney on June 14, 1960 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Padua, Minnesota. Bill farmed south of Elrosa until his retirement in 2008. During these years, he operated the road grader and snowplow in Lake George Township for 50 years. In 1979 through 1980, Bill participated in the I-500 snowmobile races from Winnipeg, Canada to St. Paul. In 1986, he earned his pilot’s license and later owned his own plane. 

He was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa where he served as an usher. He was also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters Court 1908 and the American Legion Post 67. Bill enjoyed fishing, especially his trips to Canada, deer hunting, flying, and playing with his International tractors. In 2015, Bill and Bernice went on a trip to Alaska which they thoroughly enjoyed. Bill loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren at the cabin.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Bernice Zenzen of Elrosa; children, Neal (Theresa) Zenzen of Elrosa, Steve (Janet) Zenzen of Sauk Centre, Jeff (Sandy) Zenzen of Padua, Linda (Joe) Buckentine of St. Cloud, and Doug (Jen) Zenzen of Avon; 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren with two on the way; brothers and sisters, Sister Mary Zenzen, O.S.B. of St. Cloud, Arlene (Ralph) Clement of Avon, Earl (Elaine) Zenzen of Belgrade, and Ronald Zenzen (friend, Lila) of Sartell; sister-in-law, Judy Zenzen of Red Wing; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gerald Zenzen; brother-in-law, Jerome “Mike” Truszinski; and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Zenzen. 

The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany and St. Cloud Hospital for the wonderful care they gave Bill.