Donald Zabel

Donald William Zabel, age 85 of Gaylord and formerly of Belle Plaine passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Bayside Manor in Gaylord.  Memorial Services will be held at 11a.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine.  Rev. Martin Bentz will officiate.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment with Military Honors will be in Oakwood Cemetery, followed by lunch served at church.  Memorials are preferred.

Donald William Zabel was born December 11, 1938 to Melvin & Selma (Vinkemeier) Zabel in Norwood, MN. Donald was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Benton Township, rural Cologne, Carver County, Minnesota. He went to grade school at Trinity Lutheran in Belle Plaine and Zion Lutheran, graduating from Belle Plaine High in 1957.  He was born and raised on a farm near Belle Plaine and he loved to drive tractors, be out in the field and help with the cattle. One Friday night, he and two of his friends went to Young America to a dance and there he met Marilyn Werner.  They were united in marriage April 30, 1960 in Mayer.  He was drafted into the US Army for two years in Lawton, OK, where he was in a missile unit.  After the service, they moved back to Belle Plaine and Don worked for Ford Motors and Ditch Witch of MN before retiring in 2000.  He then worked part time at the Auto Auction.  Don enjoyed fishing, dancing, old time music (teaching all of his kids to dance), and family. Donald is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, of 63 years, his parents, one infant grandson, his brother (Daryl) and brother-in-law (Jack Harens).

Donald is survived by children:  Dennis Zabel (friend Deann Sparks) of Peru, IN; Debra & Dan Haas of Mesa, AZ; Melanie & Carl Hallin of Belle Plaine; Natalie & Roger Paul of Gaylord; 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; sister Lois Harens (Les Bening) of Arlington, as well as many extended family.