William A H Zinke

William Arthur Herman Zinke, age 86, of Lake Crystal, died Thursday, April 17, 2008 at Immanuel St. Josephs Hospital in Mankato.

Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal with Rev. Monte Meyer officiating. Burial will be in Lake Crystal Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Lake Crystal Mortuary is handling arrangements. Memorials are preferred to an organization of the donor's choice.

William was born on November 5, 1921 to William C. M. and Emilie (Krenz) Zinke in New Ulm. William was baptized in 1922 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Antrim Township, Watonwan County. William attended Parochial School until the eighth grade. In 1937, the family moved to rural Lake Crystal, Lincoln Township, Blue Earth County. William farmed with his dad until entering the military as an M.P. in Japan. William served from April 25, 1946 to April 21, 1947. William attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal. William was one of the original charter members of the church. William served in various positions over the years. William was united in marriage to Esther Visher on June 14, 1952 at the Baptist parsonage in Lake Crystal. William took over the family farm from his father in 1952. William continued his love of farming and dairy until his retirement in 1992. William continued living on the farm until entering Lake Crystal Health Care Center in August of 2006.

William is survived by his wife, Esther; two sons, Albert and Norbert of Lake Crystal; one brother, Erich (Jane) Zinke of Kent, WA; sister-in-law, Florence Zinke of Bingham Lake; many nieces and nephews.

William was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Siebert, Constantine, and Alfred Zinke; and two sisters, Loretta Lewis and Elenora Cress.