1923
Louis
2016
Louis Zinsli
October 13, 1923 — October 1, 2016
Louis Francis Zinsli age 92 of Alexandria, died on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Knute Nelson under the care of hospice. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 1:30 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria. A visitation will take place two hours prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net
Louis Zinsli was born on October 13, 1923, son of Anton and Catherine Zinsli. The family was living in St. Paul at the time, but moved when Louie was still very young to the Sentinel Butte area in Western North Dakota, where they farmed during the Great Depression of the 1930s. In 1943, at the age of 18, Louie was drafted into the U.S. Army and trained as a medical technician. He served during World War II and survived several major battles, including the Battle of the Bulge in which he received a Purple Heart.
After the war Louie attended the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton where he studied to become a car mechanic. While living in Wahpeton he met Helen Althoff and in1954 they married and moved to Alexandria, after Louie acquired Jim's taxi cab business. Immediately Louie's mechanical skills proved essential in keeping the vehicles running. He also became known as an early adopter of new technology – the two-way radio – renaming the company "Radio Cab".
Louis and Helen raised a family of four children, Luann, Steven, Catherine, and Kenneth. The children attended St. Mary's Catholic School and the Church was a central part of family life. In the late 1960s, Louie sold the "Radio Cab" and went on to work for Alexandria Co-op Creamery, Culligan, Lampert Lumber, independent carpentry and numerous self-employment ventures such as Shaklee. Due to physical limitations from war injuries, Louie retired in the mid-1970s.
Louie's devotion to St. Mary's church never wavered and was only strengthened with pride in being a Knights of Columbus. (He was an active K of C for 70 years.) Louie found great joy in woodworking, fishing and socializing.
Louie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen, Alexandria; four children: Luann (Jeff) Golberg, Alexandria; Steve (Becky) Zinsli, St. Cloud; Cathy (Mark) Johnson, Franktown, Colorado; Ken Zinsli, Sunnyvale, California; 10 grandchildren: Tyler (Rachel) Golberg; Talaine (Jeff) Roquette; Trent Golberg; Tiffany Golberg; Chris Johnson; Katie (Andrew) Smith; Meghan Johnson; Molly (David) Mannlein; Connor Johnson; Elizabeth Zinsli; 4 great grandchildren: Liesl and Lyle Smith; Sullivan Golberg; Emmerson Roquette; and his sisters: Mary Cook, Josephine Rising, Rose Schreiber, Irene Bakken.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anton "Mike" and Catherine; and two brothers: Richard and Nick.
Louis Zinsli was born on October 13, 1923, son of Anton and Catherine Zinsli. The family was living in St. Paul at the time, but moved when Louie was still very young to the Sentinel Butte area in Western North Dakota, where they farmed during the Great Depression of the 1930s. In 1943, at the age of 18, Louie was drafted into the U.S. Army and trained as a medical technician. He served during World War II and survived several major battles, including the Battle of the Bulge in which he received a Purple Heart.
After the war Louie attended the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton where he studied to become a car mechanic. While living in Wahpeton he met Helen Althoff and in1954 they married and moved to Alexandria, after Louie acquired Jim's taxi cab business. Immediately Louie's mechanical skills proved essential in keeping the vehicles running. He also became known as an early adopter of new technology – the two-way radio – renaming the company "Radio Cab".
Louis and Helen raised a family of four children, Luann, Steven, Catherine, and Kenneth. The children attended St. Mary's Catholic School and the Church was a central part of family life. In the late 1960s, Louie sold the "Radio Cab" and went on to work for Alexandria Co-op Creamery, Culligan, Lampert Lumber, independent carpentry and numerous self-employment ventures such as Shaklee. Due to physical limitations from war injuries, Louie retired in the mid-1970s.
Louie's devotion to St. Mary's church never wavered and was only strengthened with pride in being a Knights of Columbus. (He was an active K of C for 70 years.) Louie found great joy in woodworking, fishing and socializing.
Louie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen, Alexandria; four children: Luann (Jeff) Golberg, Alexandria; Steve (Becky) Zinsli, St. Cloud; Cathy (Mark) Johnson, Franktown, Colorado; Ken Zinsli, Sunnyvale, California; 10 grandchildren: Tyler (Rachel) Golberg; Talaine (Jeff) Roquette; Trent Golberg; Tiffany Golberg; Chris Johnson; Katie (Andrew) Smith; Meghan Johnson; Molly (David) Mannlein; Connor Johnson; Elizabeth Zinsli; 4 great grandchildren: Liesl and Lyle Smith; Sullivan Golberg; Emmerson Roquette; and his sisters: Mary Cook, Josephine Rising, Rose Schreiber, Irene Bakken.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anton "Mike" and Catherine; and two brothers: Richard and Nick.
Visitation
St. Mary's Catholic Church420 Irving Street
Alexandria, MN 56308
Thursday, October 6, 2016
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Service
St. Mary's Catholic Church420 Irving Street
Alexandria, MN 56308
Thursday, October 6, 2016
1:30 PM
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