Alice J. Zinniel (nee Edelman), age 81, of Sleepy Eye, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at her home.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024 at the Faith United Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye, with Pastor Mike Franklin officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Sleepy Eye.
Visitation will be 4 – 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – NORTH Chapel in New Ulm, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
The service will be live streamed starting at 11 a.m. on Monday on the Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes Facebook page.
To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: www.mvfh.org
Alice is survived by her husband of 57 years, Robert; daughters, Brenda (Loren “Butch”) Brey of New Ulm and Cynthia “Cyndi” (Duane) Hansen of Lakefield; grandchildren, Morgan (Aaron) Hoffmann of Sleepy Eye, Courtney Brey of New Ulm, Michael and AJ Hansen of Lakefield; great-grandchildren, Bennett “Ben” Brey and Ella Hoffmann of Sleepy Eye; siblings, Philp Edelman of Parker, AZ, Manuel (LaVonne) Edelman of Lake George, MN, Evelyn Dutra of Scottsdale, AZ, Leo (Linda) Edelman of Agawam, MA, Lyle Edelman (special friend Kathryn Smith) of Akeley, Lillian (Vern) Landin of Lake Wales, FL, Beverly Whiddon of La Porte, MN, Delmar Edelman of Phoenix, AZ, and Mary Hutchings of Hibbing; sisters & brothers-in-law, Ann Marie Scharfencamp of New Ulm, Dick (Audrey) Zinniel of Sleepy Eye, Clete (Jan) Zinniel of Sleepy Eye, Paulette (partner Doug Samuelson) Bertrand of Mankato, Chuck (Lorette) Zinniel of Sleepy Eye, Randy (Shelly Rae) Zinniel of Sleepy Eye, Ron (special friend Denise Espe) Zinniel of Sleepy Eye, Irene (special friend Jason Wolf) Zinniel of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, DaNNY Hansen; father & mother-in-law, Joseph and Celestine Zinniel; sisters, Flossie Davis, Clara Bessler, and Barb Thelen; brothers, Donald, Karl, Paul, and Stanley Edelman; several sisters & brothers-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.
Alice Jean Edelman was born on August 10, 1943 in Bemidji, MN to Eugene & Anna (Hamblin) Edelman. She graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1961, continuing her education at Mankato Commercial College, where she studied General Office, graduating in 1964. She was united in marriage to Robert Zinniel on September 10, 1966 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. Alice was employed with Broich’s Royal Blue Grocery Store, Pietrus, Del Monte, the Brown County Assessor’s Office, and then 30 years as a secretary at the Sleepy Eye Public Elementary School. She was involved with the Sleepy Eye Dollars for Scholars, volunteered at the Public School, and was a teacher and superintendent for Sunday School. Alice was a good bowler, and also enjoyed baking, camping, reading, fishing, and playing games, especially Scrabble. Most of all, she cherished the time she spent with her family. Alice will be remembered for her radiant smile, infectious laughter, epic Christmas goodie boxes, homemade breads and ice cream. Blessed be her memory.
Memorials are preferred to the Ronald McDonald House Upper Midwest Charities or the Alzheimer’s Association.
