Edwin George Zell, son of William and Bertha Schumacher Zell, was born August 23, 1916, on the family farm, near Sumner, Iowa. He attended the Sumner Township country school, and was confirmed at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, rural Sumner.
Edwin farmed his entire life in the Buck Creek area near Sumner, raising dairy cattle and hogs, as well as crops. He retired from farming in 1981.
A resident of the Oelwein Healthcare Center since March of this year, his death occurred there on Friday, June 10, 2011. He was 94 years old and a lifelong member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ where he served in various church offices. He also had served on the Spring Fountain Creamery board of directors.
Edwin is survived by his sister, Dora Zander Gitch of Sumner; five nieces, Lillian Saddler of Cedar Rapids, Marilyn (Gene) Robertson of Sumner, Corliss (Jim) Streinz of Sarasota, Florida, Jennifer Rieger of Waverly, and Brenda (Dan) Milnes of Robins, Iowa; two nephews, Dixon Zander of Madrid, Iowa, and David (Janet) Zander of Williston, South Dakota; several great nieces, great nephews, and great great nieces and great great nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Alfred; one niece, Janice Jones;one great nephew, Kenny Jones, Jr.; two great nieces, Jamie Streinz and Debbie Jones; a great great niece, Reegan Robertson; and a great great nephew, Christopher Judisch.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 17, 2011, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, rural Sumner with Rev. Robert Treichel officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 16, 2011, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Friday. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
