1935 -Frederic Herman Zemler – 2017
Frederic Herman Zemler, the son of Herman and Agnes (Baechler) Zemler, was born on March 15, 1935 in Fulda, Minnesota. He was baptized in St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church. Fred became an altar boy (server) in the second grade and served through high school. He learned the Latin used in the Mass before English was used and he remembered those prayers and often recited them when the family gathered together. He grew up in Fulda and attended St. Gabriel’s Catholic School and graduated from the Fulda High School in 1953. He played football for the Fulda Raiders and later played third base for the city league softball team. Fred served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1957 and worked with heavy equipment. Fred planned to continue with this experience after the Army, but lost his vision in his right eye and was unable to pursue that dream. Subsequently, he worked for the DNR, was a police officer in Fulda, hauled flax bales, was milk hauler and a farmer. Fred was united in marriage to Diane (Schwantes) Blesi on March 5, 1983. After their marriage, they lived in Fulda and operated the Fulda Café for 19 years. They were noted for their roast beef and home cooking. Following the closing of the café, they continued coffee hour at their home. The “Coffee Clutch” continued after Diane passed away in July of 2012 and was a meaningful time for the group with a motto of “will trade coffee for Gossip”. Fred passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at the Murray County Hospice Home in Slayton, MN at the age of 82. He was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda where he had served as an Usher. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, reading and listening to Country Western and Gospel music. He and Diane also worked at home making Holiday De-Lites and he also made snarls.
Survivors include his four step-sons: Terry Blesi, Chamberlain, SD, Michael (Laura) Blesi, Isanti, MN, Jamie Blesi, Fulda, MN and Brandon Blesi, Las Vegas, NV and their children; siblings: Edwin Zemler, Medical Lake, WA, Joan Remiger, Redwood Falls, MN, Sister Rosemary Zemler, Rochester, MN, James Zemler, Las Cruces, NM, Rita (Dale) Bunkers, Chester, SD, Richard (Irene) Zemler, Fergus Falls, MN, Donald (Marsha) Zemler, Sauk Centre, MN and Margaret Heath, Rochester, MN; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sister Barbara Bunkers; brother Thomas Zemler and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Funeral services will be held at St Gabriel’s Catholic Church Fulda, MN at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 20, 2017 with Msgr. R. Paul Heiting celebrating. The organist is Mary Ann Boom. The song leader is Lloyd Winter. Burial will be at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery Fulda, MN.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements. Send condolences online at www.totzkefuneralhome.com.
