Donald Wayne Zellweger passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 92 years old.
He was born on August 14, 1922 to Samuel Lawrence Zellweger and Nellie Theresa (Proctor) Zellweger in Wilton Township Sec #34, Waseca County, Minnesota. He was delivered at home on the farm by a midwife, Jenny Nelson, a daughter of Asa Sutlief, the first settler in Waseca County.
Donald attended Country School District #49 through eighth grade and graduated from New Richland High School in 1940.
After high school, Donald attended trade school from 1940-41 with United Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas and subsequently worked for Bell Aircraft in Buffalo, New York on the landing gear for the first experimental jet airplanes built in the United States.
Donald married Marian Gladys Farrell on December 9, 1943 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca, Minnesota. They, together with Donald’s parents, ran the Zellweger farm and homestead. Later, he also worked for Kohnert and Youngberg Construction in Waseca, Minnesota.Donald and Marian were married for over 50 years and were active members of the Waseca County community. They were faithful members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waldorf, Minnesota. Donald was secretary/treasurer of Country School District #49 until it closed. He was also Wilton Township Supervisor, a Knights of Columbus lifetime member and a member of the Elks. He was on the Waseca County Park Board from 1966-97 and a member of the Farm Bureau. He was a gregarious friend to many people and was very active in his community, organizing and playing in pool leagues and participating in his church fellowship community in Arizona. He was an avid photographer and loved to document visits with friends and family. Donald was also a great storyteller with a laser-like memory of specific dates, visitors, activities, and weather conditions in years past. He was tightly woven into his communities and will be deeply missed.
He married Maude Lee Knight on April 3, 2002.
Donald is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Nellie; his first wife, Marian; his brother, Samuel Jr.; his sisters Theora; Gladys; Lavena; Opal; his second wife, Maude Lee; his son-in-law, Jacques Sebasky; and a great-grandchild.
Donald is survived by his four daughters: Gloria Sebasky of Pierz, Minnesota; Janice (Michael) Prescher of Pine Island, Minnesota; Jane (Robin) Bluhm of Waseca, Minnesota; and Jill (Mark) Hokenson of Mesa, Arizona. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Jennifer (Gary) Waytashek of Pierz, Minnesota; Claire Ann Sebasky of St. Cloud, Minnesota; Tyrone Sebasky of Pierz, Minnesota; Samuel Sebasky of Pierz, Minnesota; Melinda Prescher of Los Gatos, California; Daniel (Trisha) Prescher of Rock Dell, Minnesota; Emily (Patrick) Patterson of Burnsville, Minnesota; Matthew Bluhm of Mankato, Minnesota; Donny Hokenson of Mesa, Arizona; Mary Hokenson of Mesa, Arizona; seven great-grandchildren; Helen Krause of Waseca, Minnesota, his sister-in-law; Saundra Nelson of Mesa, Arizona, his step-daughter; his friend and dance partner, Vivian Smutz; and many other nieces, nephews, and extended family members whom he cherished.
A memorial service will be held at the Miller Armstrong Conference Center at 204 2nd St SW in Waseca, Minnesota, on Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m. Friends and family are invited to gather one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Waseca, Minnesota.
A memorial service will also be held at the Viewpoint community in Arizona during the next winter season. More information will be provided in advance of the event.