1961-JEFFREY ZINS-2019
Jeffrey Douglas Zins was born in Worthington MN. On December 2, 1961 to Leander and Adeline (Toussaint) Zins from Section 28, Bondin Township, Fulda MN. Jeff was the 11th of 13 children (5 boys and 8 girls). Jeff attended St. Gabriel’s Catholic School thru 4th grade when the school was closed down; following the schools closure he attended the public elementary school and later graduated from Fulda High School in 1980. Following graduation, he continued working on his family’s farm with his Dad, brothers, and Uncle John. The farm consisted of a beef cow herd, finishing cattle, dairy herd, laying hens, lambing ewes, farrow to finish hogs, and horses, along with growing crops of corn, beans, oats, and a lot of hay. The operation also consisted of many side jobs including custom field work, corn shelling, and a grain and livestock trucking business. In 1983 Jeff purchased a mobile home and moved onto an acreage owned by his parents on the same section as the home farm, from and continued working in the family operation as well as starting his own farrowing operation. On August 18, 1984, Jeff married the love of his life Susan Elizabeth Mathias, daughter of Greg Mathias of rural Dundee MN. Jeff and Susan lived together in their home only a short while before moving one half mile away to another of the family’s farms in November of 1984. On that location they would start their family as well as manage a dairy herd, finishing cattle, and swine herd along with helping with the day to day work on the home farm. With the failing health of Jeff’s Father and Uncle John, the family needed to sell off the dairy operation in 1993. To help make ends meet following this, Jeff took on a job driving semi for Lime Creek Ag Service, hauling mostly livestock. Soon after this, Jeff’s brother was starting up “Zins Trucking” and needed a part time driver so Jeff filled that position. In 1999. Jeff branched off and started his own trucking business called “Jeff Zins Trucking” hauling grain, livestock, feed, and oil. Jeff always loved the little ones which led him to get his school bus endorsement, which allowed him to drive for Witzel Bus Service. For many years, he would drive for band, sports, and FCCLA trips along with being substitute for many of the bus routes. Jeff really enjoyed interacting with the kids and making sure they were safely home. In 2015 Jeff, Susan, Holly, Levi, and Torri were honored to receive the Murray County Farm Family of The Year Award. Jeff always took great pride in their farm and its appearance. In February of 2016 Jeff was diagnosed with ALS after experiencing weakness and stiffness in one leg for nearly a year. Jeff continued to farm to the best of his abilities after that with much help from family, friends and neighbors. Jeff and Susan were blessed with two children, Holly born November 16, 1987 and Levi born January 7, 1991. Jeff served on the Maple Lawn Board of Directors for 15 years from 2000-2015. Jeff was a Catholic Order of Foresters member and officer for many years. He also taught 2nd grade faith formation for 2 years and served on the Education Committee at St. Gabriel’s Church. Jeff was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church and served in a number of capacities such as Minister of Hospitality, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and coffee and roll server. Jeff’s hobbies included visiting with family and friends, playing cards, boating and tinkering in the shop on wood projects or metal inventions, but most of all he loved going horseback riding. Jeff’s greatest treasure was found in his wife, two children, daughter and son in law, and his grandchildren.
Jeff is survived by his wife (Susan), Daughter Holly (Joe Rohlik), Grandson Cooper Rohlik; Son Levi (Torri), Grandsons, Landyn Zins and Rylan Zins. Siblings: Mike (Suzi) Zins, Fulda; Ramona (Ron) Beggs, Exeter, California; Irene (Bob) Cline, Bloomington; Leann (Spencer) Enninga, Fulda; Jerry (Jane) Zins, Garretson, South Dakota; Cindy (Maurice) Phipps, Sylvia, North Carolina; Juanita (Ron) Staples, Morris, MN; Ken (Lana) Zins, Fulda; Roger (Karyn) Zins, Fulda, and many precious nieces and nephews. Jeff is preceded in death by his parents, Adeline and Leander Zins, Sisters, Sally Willette, Jeannie Lammers and Josephine (Jo) Merz, Nephew, Timothy Merz, Brother-In-Law, Pete Strong, and many close Aunts and Uncles.
Funeral Services at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church Fulda, MN at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2019 with Msgr. R. Paul Heiting officiating. The organist was Mary Ann Boom. The Song Leaders are Amelia Brake and Doug Brake. The Pallbearers were Andy Rohlik, Dalton Jeffers, Jared Arens, Sam Haberman, Trent Slater and Cory Reith. Interment at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery Fulda, MN.
The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements. Send condolences online at www.totzkefuneralhome.com.
