A memorial visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Friday, October 21, 2022, at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-South Chapel in New Ulm.
A private family burial service will happen at a later date at the Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye.
To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org
Dee is survived by her husband of 60 years, Charles Sasse of New Ulm; her daughter, Sue (Al) Waldvogel of New Ulm; her grandchildren, Alex Herzog of St. Cloud, Adam (Lexi) Herzog of New Ulm; her great-grandson, Owen; her sisters, Carol Ellringer of San Angelo, Texas, Marie (Reg) Busson of Prescott, Arizona; her brothers, Paul (Pam) Ziegenhagen of Waco, Texas, Perry (Peg) Ziegenhagen of Owatonna, Phil (Marcy) Ziegenhagen of Owatonna; her sister-in-law, Carol (Steve) Rose of Richfield; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Allwin and Lois (Frohrip) Ziegenhagen; and her father-in-law, and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Alpha Sasse.
Darlene Dee Ziegenhagen was born March 1, 1942, in New Ulm. She attended country school and graduated as salutatorian of the 1960 class of Franklin High School. She later attended college at Mankato State University where she studied accounting as well as music. Dee was united in marriage to Charles “Chuck” Sasse on January 14, 1962, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Morgan. This union blessed the couple with their daughter Sue. Dee worked in the accounting field for most of her life. Early in her career she worked at Schaefer & Schaefer Tax Service in Fairfax during the busier farm months. She later worked at Abdo, Eick, and Meyers Accounting for many years before her retirement in 2012.
In retirement, Dee and Chuck enjoyed many nice years together at their new home on Lake Frances in Elysian before moving to New Ulm in 2021. Dee always enjoyed the work she did in life, but music was truly her lifelong passion. Her entire life was filled with music. From an early age, Dee played the accordion as well as the saxophone, piano, and organ. She started playing music for church at age 13 and later played for school kids, group events, the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye, the Sleepy Eye Community Band, as well as two other New Ulm music groups.
Dee will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her, and although she went too soon, countless cherished memories will forever stay in their hearts. Blessed be those memories.