Gerald "Gerry" Zenzen

Gerald A. "Gerry" Zenzen, age 82, of Sauk Centre, passed away Thursday, July 15, 2021 at Galeon Senior Living in Osakis, Minnesota.

Visitation will be held at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre on Friday, August 6 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with a memorial service to follow. Military honors will be by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Gerald Zenzen was born on February 28, 1939, to Clara (Dehmer) and Richard Zenzen. He would be the 3rd of 6 children. He grew up on a farm in Elrosa. He often told stories of the farm: working with teams of horses, sleeping in the hay loft, and doing chores. He completed school through the 8th grade, then worked on the family farm. He later would complete his GED.

After leaving the farm, Gerry worked a few jobs including the granite quarry in Cold Spring, hauling turkeys, driving truck for a lumber company, (Silver Fir) and later Kane Transport. He was then hired by Stearns County Highway Department where he was employed for over 30 years. While employed with the county, he also did field work on a farm northwest of Sauk Centre. Upon his retirement, he worked for a construction and excavation company and drove cars for local car dealerships. He also hauled weeds, which had been removed from Sauk Lake, for the Sauk Centre Watershed.

In 1958, Gerry joined the military. He served in the Minnesota National Guard for over 24 years. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and held the position of Squad Leader. He later joined the American Legion and was proud to be a member of the Honor Guard.

In 1962 he met Judy Parks, and in April of 1964 they were married. Gerry and Judy prioritized family, they would become the parents of 4 sons: Thomas, Anthony, Todd, Troy. Tom married Melissa and has 2 daughters; Claire and Cate. Tony married Heather and has 2 daughters; Sophie and Scarlett. Todd has a daughter Brianna. Troy married Melanie and has a son Adam and daughter Emma. Troy’s son Adam married Jinnea and they have a daughter Juliette, who is Gerry’s great granddaughter.

He was an active member of his church, as an Alter boy, participating in Bible studies and serving as an usher for many years.

Gerry loved music and had several hobbies; he loved swimming, fishing and almost always owned a boat. He also took many hunting trips and especially loved deer hunting. He also spent time woodworking, rock polishing, and llama boxing. However, his favorite past times was being with his family on camping trips and spending time with Judy watching the ships in Duluth Harbor.

Gerry was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be greatly missed by his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law Ester Parks, father-in-law Everett Parks; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Zenzen; and brothers-in-law Louzelle “Lucky” Luke, Donald Parks, Laurel Parks, Richard Parks.