Harvey G.R. Zell

Harvey Zell, age 91, of Janesville, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday morning, May 11, 2017, at the Janesville Nursing Home.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wilton Township, Waseca County, Minnesota. Interment will be in Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. Visitation will be for two hours prior to the service at church on Saturday.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Services ~ McRaith Chapel of Waseca. www.wasecafuneral.com

Harvey Glen Robert Zell was born on August 31, 1925 to Charles and Anna (Metzler) Zell in Wilton Township, Waseca County, Minnesota. He was baptized on September 20, 1925, and confirmed in his faith on July 4, 1937, by Rev. E.F. Wachkolz at Trinity Lutheran Church of Wilton Township. He attended grade school at District #65 of Wilton Township. He helped his parents on the Zell Family Farm by Silver Lake. He married Betty Possin on September 2, 1955 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freedom Township rural Janesville by Rev. F.W. Parduhn. They lived and raised their family on the Zell Family Farm.

In his younger years he hunted small game, trapping gophers, mink, muskrats, and even skunks. He was a self-taught mechanic and helped his relatives, friends and neighbors with fix-it jobs. He enjoyed farming, raising livestock and milking cows. He also played the banjo and guitar and enjoyed old time music. In 1989, Harvey and Betty rented out their farm land and moved to Alma City. They continued to mow and clean up at the farm. He cracked walnuts, did fix-it jobs, scrapped out iron, did puzzles and framed them for his children and grandchildren. He cherished the time he spent with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Betty; children: Lonny (Darla) Zell of Alma City, Audrey (Marlon) Rudolph of Pemberton, Amy (Daren) Arndt of Waseca; grandchildren: Heather (David) Ehlke, Bridget (Casey) Hill, Jeremy (Jolene) Zell, Nicholas Zell, Melissa (Jason) Raddatz, Brittany Arndt and Tyler Arndt; great grandchildren: Desiree Strand, Dylan Krueger, Dawson Ehlke, Jaden Ehlke, Alma Zell and Grace Raddatz; step great grandchildren: Hailey Hill and Breena Hill.

Preceded in death by his parents, sister, Ardella (Laverne) Scholljegerdes, Violet (Lawrence) Matz.