Henry M. Zinnel, 99, of Mandan, ND, passed away May 3 , 2019 at Miller Point, Mandan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at Christ The King Catholic Church, Mandan, ND. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan.
Visitation will be held Monday, May 6, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Rosary/Parish Vigil at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Henry was born on November 9, 1919 at St. Anthony, ND to Anton and Maria (Kustritz) Zinnel.
He was raised and educated at St. Anthony. At an early age he worked as a farm hand where he met his future bride. He and Eleanor Wenger were married on February 24, 1941 at Mandan, ND.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, where he proudly served his country during WWII spending time in Africa and Europe. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Henry returned to Mandan and started his career as a heavy equipment operator running a backhoe for Zachmeier’s of Mandan.
He was a self-taught crane operator that led to his career with James J Igoe and Sons for 25 years, building bridges on ND highways. Henry was a member of the local 49 International union of Operating Engineers, a member of the Mandan Moose, and a 57-year member of the American Legion. Henry enjoyed gardening, camping, walking, listening to polka music and spending time with his grandchildren.
For the past five years he lived at Edgewood Vista and even at age 99 continued to walk up to one mile a day. He enjoyed playing bingo and eating his favorite treat, Whopper malted milk balls. His family extends a special thank you to the staff at Edgewood Vista for their care and friendship during his stay.
A heartfelt thank you to our siblings, Roseanna and Shirley, for taking special care of our Dad since the passing of our mother. Henry is survived by his daughters, Roseanna Bonagofsky and Shirley (Melvin) Fleck of Mandan, Donna (DuWayne) Boehm of Cottage Grove, MN; sons, Ervin (Patricia) and David both of Mandan; nine grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and nine great great grandchildren. Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor, who died on February 13, 2003; son, Henry Jr; parents, Anton and Maria; son-in-law, Bernard Bonagofsky; three grandchildren, Terry, Kevin and Scott Bonagofsky; sisters, Lucy Schramm and Mary Ann Zinnel; brothers, Anton, Carl, Leonard, Clemence, and Lawrence.
The family requests that memorials be made to the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan, ND Go to www. weigelfuneral.com to sign the guestbook and share memories with his family.
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