David Zeise

David William Zeise was born to Herbert and Beatrice (Sandmann) Zeise on July 11, 1943 in Redwood Falls, MN. He grew up on the family farm near Morgan, Minnesota and went to school in Redwood Falls.

After graduating from Redwood Falls high school and starting at the University of Minnesota, David enlisted to serve in the US Army from 1963 until his honorable discharge in 1966. During that time, he was stationed in West Germany.

Having completed military service, David returned to his education at the St. Paul campus of the U of M, when he met Kathaleen Zurn after a U of M Homecoming game in the fall of 1967. They were married June 15, 1968 in Callaway, MN, and recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. That marriage was blessed with two children, Brent and Tara.

Dave graduated from the U of M and launched into his career in agri-business, working in management at farm service cooperatives in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Notable portions of his career took David and his family to Sauk Centre, Eagle Bend, and New York Mills, Minnesota.  After his career in co-op management, he worked several years as a financial account representative for Milliman; educating farm co-op employees across the western United States in financial planning. He was proud to serve his communities through his work and continued to do so in retirement, working as a driver for Friendly Rider in Wadena and as a volunteer driver for the county.

He belonged to several organizations through the years; Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Eagle Bend City Council, and the American Legion. David loved the outdoors. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and hunting.

His love of the outdoors extended beyond recreation to almost a vocation; he was proud to not only hunt on his beautiful wooded property outside of Deer Creek, but he also was a careful steward of the land.  He lovingly tended his woods and the surrounding area, constantly battling thistles and gophers and cleaning up the trash others carelessly discarded. Throughout the years, he cheered on his favorite teams, faithfully following the Gopher’s basketball, football and the Minnesota Twins.

On July 10, 2018, David peacefully entered eternal rest, just one day short of his 75th birthday. He will be truly missed by his family and all who knew him. Preceded in death by his parents: Herbert and Beatrice Zeise; step-mother Lillian Zeise; in-laws: Lawrence and Gertrude Zurn; and sister, Susan McChesney.

Dave will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Kathaleen; son, Brent (Ying) Zeise of Kiev, Ukraine; daughter Tara (Chad) Van Heel of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; two grandchildren: Gabriel and Violet Van Heel; brothers, Ralph (Karen) Zeise of Redwood Falls; Lloyd (Leslie) Zeise of Hastings; and Glenn (Ruth) Zeise of Redwood Falls; one sister Janet (Gene) Klein of Burlington, Texas; many other relatives and a host of friends.

Burial will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery, Callaway, Minnesota at a later date.

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