Marcella Zempel

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Jan. 1, 1920- Nov. 30, 2009

WOOD LAKE - Services for Marcella Zempel, 89, of the Wood Lake area, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wood Lake. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. today at the Wing-Bain Funeral Home in Granite Falls and continues one hour prior to the church. Wing-Bain Funeral Home of Granite Falls is in charge of arrangements for Marcella Zempel.

She died Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, at the Bethesda Heritage Center in Willmar.

Marcella Eunice (Shinler) Zempel was born Jan. 1, 1920, in Webster, WI, the daughter of George Levi and Emma Elizabeth (Wilson) Shinler. She was baptized Aug. 28, 1921, in Webster and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on Aug. 30, 1948, in Wood Lake. She attended public school in Webster graduating in 1937.

Following her graduation, Marcella worked in resorts near the Webster area and helped her brother for a while on the family farm. She then moved to Minneapolis where she worked at numerous jobs. While working at Honeywell Corp., Marcella met Loren Zempel. They were married Feb. 22, 1945, in Minneapolis and decided to travel west to California. While on this trip, they stopped off in Wood Lake and never went farther, making their home in Wood Lake.

Marcella was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. After raising three sons she worked at Gambles and Barges B&B in Wood Lake and was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church. She enjoyed participating in Ladies Aid, dancing, playing softball and cards, doing crafts, hunting, fishing, canning, cooking, gardening and raising flowers. Even though she was in her late 60s/early 70s, the "kid" in her would shine through as she played Santa Claus in the Wood Lake community for several years. She especially loved to spend time with her family and visiting with her many friends.

Loren passed away in 1991 and Marcella remained in Wood Lake until 2002, when she moved to Independence Place in Willmar. She most recently was a resident at Bethesda Heritage.

Surviving family include her three sons: Bruce (and Linda) Zempel of Edina, Mark (and Kristen) Zempel of Neenah, Wis., and Craig (and Carol) Zempel of Willmar; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband Loren; two brothers and one sister.