1927
Zera
2016
Zera Bell
January 5, 1927 — December 17, 2016
The funeral for Zera "Zip" Bell, of Hancock, Minnesota will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Hancock, with Reverend Julius Miller officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock.
Zera "Zip" Bell, age 89, died at Knute Nelson Care Center on December 17, 2016, surrounded by his family.
Zip was born on January 5, 1927 in Donnelly, MN to Robert and Emma (Zimmerman) Bell. His family moved to Hancock when he was in grade school. He attended Hancock High School and participated in basketball, football and track, graduating in 1944.
Zip enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 and served on the USS Blackhawk until he was honorably discharged in 1946. After returning stateside, he attended school in Toledo, OH to become a butcher. He then returned to Hancock to run the family grocery store with his father. On May 28, 1950, he was married to the love of his life, Lois Maxine Huntley at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Hancock. To this union, four children were born: Judy, Mark, Tracey & Lisa. Zip and Lois made their home in Hancock where he was active in the Lions, the Hancock Commercial Club, the VFW and served as Scout Master for Troop 471.
Zip had many passions! He was an avid hunter who was always in charge of cleaning the fish and game. He loved camping and traveling "coast to coast" with his family. Zip and Lois enjoyed dancing to the big band sounds of Glenn Miller, often telling his children and grandchildren: "I've danced more miles than you kids could ever dream of walkin'!" He especially enjoyed summer time at the family cabin on Lake Minnewaska. He loved being a Grandpa; painting rocks, whittling toys and "whirly-gigs", driving the boat for water skiing and coloring Easter eggs. His zest for life was infectious and every day with Grandpa Zip was a new adventure! After losing his "Bride" in 2010, he moved to Nelson Gables in Alexandria in 2012.
Zip is survived by his children: Judy (Charles) Schaefer of Hancock, MI, Mark (Karen) Bell of Ham Lake, MN, Tracey (Dave) Eliason of Fergus Falls, MN, Lisa (Scott) Dee of Alexandria, MN, grandchildren: Lindsay (Josh) Jenson, Ryan (Audrey) Schaefer, Reed Bell, Paige (Jamison Kahler) Bell, Andy (Lauren Risbrudt) Eliason, Erik Eliason, Nicholas Dee, Ellen Dee, great grandchildren: Willow and Seda Jenson, sister-in-law Francis Bell of Alexandria, MN and brother-in-law Don (Jody) Huntley of Cyrus, MN and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents: Robert and Emma Bell, wife Lois Bell, siblings Goldie Bosold, Robert Bell and Jack Bell along with brothers-in-law Larry Bosold and Dick Huntley and sister-in-law Betty Huntley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
Zera "Zip" Bell, age 89, died at Knute Nelson Care Center on December 17, 2016, surrounded by his family.
Zip was born on January 5, 1927 in Donnelly, MN to Robert and Emma (Zimmerman) Bell. His family moved to Hancock when he was in grade school. He attended Hancock High School and participated in basketball, football and track, graduating in 1944.
Zip enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 and served on the USS Blackhawk until he was honorably discharged in 1946. After returning stateside, he attended school in Toledo, OH to become a butcher. He then returned to Hancock to run the family grocery store with his father. On May 28, 1950, he was married to the love of his life, Lois Maxine Huntley at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Hancock. To this union, four children were born: Judy, Mark, Tracey & Lisa. Zip and Lois made their home in Hancock where he was active in the Lions, the Hancock Commercial Club, the VFW and served as Scout Master for Troop 471.
Zip had many passions! He was an avid hunter who was always in charge of cleaning the fish and game. He loved camping and traveling "coast to coast" with his family. Zip and Lois enjoyed dancing to the big band sounds of Glenn Miller, often telling his children and grandchildren: "I've danced more miles than you kids could ever dream of walkin'!" He especially enjoyed summer time at the family cabin on Lake Minnewaska. He loved being a Grandpa; painting rocks, whittling toys and "whirly-gigs", driving the boat for water skiing and coloring Easter eggs. His zest for life was infectious and every day with Grandpa Zip was a new adventure! After losing his "Bride" in 2010, he moved to Nelson Gables in Alexandria in 2012.
Zip is survived by his children: Judy (Charles) Schaefer of Hancock, MI, Mark (Karen) Bell of Ham Lake, MN, Tracey (Dave) Eliason of Fergus Falls, MN, Lisa (Scott) Dee of Alexandria, MN, grandchildren: Lindsay (Josh) Jenson, Ryan (Audrey) Schaefer, Reed Bell, Paige (Jamison Kahler) Bell, Andy (Lauren Risbrudt) Eliason, Erik Eliason, Nicholas Dee, Ellen Dee, great grandchildren: Willow and Seda Jenson, sister-in-law Francis Bell of Alexandria, MN and brother-in-law Don (Jody) Huntley of Cyrus, MN and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents: Robert and Emma Bell, wife Lois Bell, siblings Goldie Bosold, Robert Bell and Jack Bell along with brothers-in-law Larry Bosold and Dick Huntley and sister-in-law Betty Huntley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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