Ricardo Zimmel

Ricardo Lowell “Zip” Zimmel was born August 16, 1954 in Alexandria, MN, the son of Vincent and Barbara (Jacobsen) Zimmel. Rick grew up in Osakis, MN where he attended St. Agnes Parochial School through sixth grade and graduated from Osakis High School.

He began a long career at Donnelly Manufacturing. He worked for Donnelly (Juno) Manufacturing for over forty plus years. Rick retired from Donnelly as a supervisor.

On May 8, 1982, Rick was united in marriage to Stephanie Steidl. They made their home in Alexandria briefly before moving to Carlos, MN. The couple was blessed with two sons, Zachary and Brett.

Rick enjoyed country music and rock & roll. He looked forward to attending music festivals such as the MoonDance Jam and the Winstock Festival. He was an outdoorsman and a sports fan. He enjoyed going deer hunting and spending time fishing in the summer and winter. He was a fan of all the Minnesota sports teams, college and professional. He was a fan of the Osakis Hawks baseball team unless they were playing the Carlos Cougars.  He played many years for the Cougars at pitcher and shortstop. Two of Rick’s brothers also played for the Cougars. When the Carlos Cougars played the Osakis Hawks all six Zimmel brothers were playing in the game.

On Monday, March 15, 2021, following a year-long battle with cancer, Rick passed away peacefully at the age of sixty-six years. He was preceded in death by all his grandparents; his father, Vincent Zimmel; and one nephew, Kevin Zimmel. Rick is survived by his mother, Barbara Sjerven of Osakis; two sons, Zach Zimmel of Starbuck, MN and Brett Zimmel and wife, Kaggen, of Miltona, MN; one grandchild, Kason Zimmel; seven siblings, Glenn Zimmel and friend, Vicki Ambler, of Avon, MN, Tom Zimmel and wife, Jean, of Osakis, Tim Zimmel and wife, Betsy, of Villard, MN, Rod Zimmel and wife, Diane, of Osakis, Lori Parkos of Circle Pines, MN, Brad Zimmel and wife, Jackie, of Osakis and Jodi Carey and husband, Kevin, of Kerkhoven, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held 11 AM Thursday, March 18, 2021 at St. Nicholas Church in Belle River. Reverend Father Dave Petron will be the celebrant. Readers are Lori Parkos and Jodi Carey. Honorary pallbearers include Glenn Zimmel, Tom Zimmel, Tim Zimmel, Rod, Zimmel, Brad Zimmel, Lori Parkos, Jodi Carey and Curt Severson. Interment in the church cemetery will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Wednesday at the Anderson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at church. Masks and social distancing are required at the funeral home and church. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory in Alexandria.