SUMNER - Wilbert John Zabel, 72, Sumner, died Monday, April 23, 2001 at the University Hospitals in Iowa City following a.sudden illness.

Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 27 at St. John Lutheran Church, Sumner, with Rev.  Sorenson presiding. Connie Donat was organist, accompanying the congregational singing of "Just As I Am", "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee".

Interment was at 12:45 p.m. Friday at the New Hampton Cemetery, New Hampton, with military rites accorded by the Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion, Sumner.

Visitation was from 4-8 .m. Thursday, April 26 at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Wilbert John Zabel, son of William and Stena (Ohlendorf) Zabel, was born May 28,1928 at Bremer. He was baptized on June 10, 1928 and confirmed April 5, 1945 at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg. He received his education in the rural schools of Chickasaw County and served with the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean War. On June 5,1954, Wilbert was united in marriage with Rose Wilhelms at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton. He farmed east of Sumner until 1986 and had worked for Paul Niemann Construction Company of Sumner for many years, retiring in 1992. Wilbert was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner and a longtime member of Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion of Sumner.

Surviving are his wife, Rose, Sumner; one son, Joseph (Diane) Zabel, Central City; three granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Paul (Virginia) Zabel, Cedar Rapids and Glen (Marcella) Zabel, Fredericksburg; one sister, Esther Homeister, Waverly.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one stillborn grandchild; two brothers, Alfred and Elmer, who died in infancy; three sisters, Elsie, Frieda and Dorothy.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Source: New Hampton Tribune; Apr. 27, 2001 Page 4
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the Web by Bill Waters