Derald Zabel

Derald W. Zabel, age 83 of Osakis passed away on Wednesday, March 16 at the Centra Care Center in Long Prairie, MN.
Derald was born on June 13, 1927 in Leslie Township, Todd County to Fred and Elsie (Kowalke) Zabel. Derald was raised on the farm northeast of Osakis in Leslie Township ever since he was a young boy. He loved life in the country and did dairy and beef farming. On August 29, 1981 Derald was united in marriage to Zephyne J. Pease-Sprick in Michigan. They lived in Leslie Township, where Derald enjoyed gardening, listening to country music and tinkering on various repair projects. They also did a lot of traveling each season in their R.V. He was a member of the Leslie Community Church.
Derald was best known for his outstanding ability to put others before himself. He had an excellent memory for important dates and events and kept his mind sharp. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.
Derald is survived by his loving wife, Zephyne Zabel of Osakis; stepchildren, Dale (Josie) Sprick of Brooklyn Center, MN and Ila (Dale) Drenckhahn of Elko, MN; 3 step grandchildren, Dylan Sprick, Mikala & Rachel Drenckhahn ; a brother, Dewayne Zabel of Osakis and a sister, Cleora VanValkenburg of Long Prairie; many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Ervin & Everett Zabel and a sister, Helen Fearing.
Funeral services for Derald were held on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Osakis with Rev. Tim Sutton and Rev. Larry Pearson officiating. Musicians were organist, Ellen Bangtson and soloist, Amy Dinkel-VanValkenburg. Interment was at the Evergreen Cemetery in Long Prairie with pallbearers being LeRoy Zabel, Joe Pesta, Roger Fearing, Noel, Gerald and Donald Van Valkenburg.