Gerald John Zellar

Gerald John Zellar, 92, a longtime Lakefield resident and recently of Mankato, died Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Health System - Mankato.

Memorial service will be held 11a.m., Saturday, Feb. 13, 2015, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield with Pastor Daniel Provost officiating. Visitation will take place two hours before the service. Burial will follow at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran School. Mankato Mortuary is assisting with arrangements.

Gerald was born April 26, 1923, in Jackson, Minn., to John and Anna (Matasovsky) Zellar Sr. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on Nov. 28, 1944, and later studied agriculture at the University of Minnesota. On June 9, 1946, Gerald was united in marriage to Eleanor Brill at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Together, they made their home on the Brill farmstead and raised five boys. Gerald was active at Immanuel, in Jackson County Farm Bureau and enjoyed family vacations that involved travel to other states and countries.

Survivors include sons Gerald Jr. (Ruth) of Wasilla, Alaska, Ronald (Susan) of Helena, Mont., Bob (Pat) of Billings, Mont., David (Debra) of Eagle Lake, and Darvin (Deanne) of Eagan; seven grandchildren, Jeff (Christa) Zellar, Kristy (KC) Anderton, Jonathan (Kelsie) Zellar, Jane Zellar, Amanda Zellar, Michael Zellar, and Andrew Zellar; 10 great-grandchildren, Eric, Emily, Katie, Jon, Brenna, Ryan, and Tristan Zellar, Ryan and Sarah Pluard, and Aurora Anderton; sister Eleanor Sydnes; and several nieces and nephews. Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor, in 2013, and by brother John Zellar Jr. in 2010.