Caroline Zahn

Caroline Zahn, age 103, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Fairway View Neighborhoods in Ortonville.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Reverend Zachary Voss will officiate, and interment will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Caroline Clara Marie (Hilllman) Zahn was born on May 4, 1921, at home in Lac qui Parle County, MN, to Herman and Louise (Vitzke) Hillman. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walter Township, of Lac qui Parle County, MN, and later confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. She put her faith and trust in Jesus, her Savior.

Following her education at the country school through eighth grade, she wholeheartedly contributed to her family's well-being and worked on the family farm. Caroline also worked as a housekeeper for a neighbor who lived nearby until she met Arthur Zahn.

On August 29, 1940, Caroline and Arthur were united in marriage. Together, they raised a loving family of three children: Darlene, Dale, and Doug. The family enjoyed life on their farm near Ortonville, MN, and became members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville.

Always a hard worker, Caroline tended to a sprawling garden, flower beds, raised ducks and chickens, and loved to mow her expansive lawn. She shared the bounty of her harvest from her garden with those around her. Caroline also dressed and sold the poultry along with selling her farm-fresh eggs. She cared for and milked cows along with many other tasks around the farm. 

When her older children left home, Caroline found work outside her home as a cook in various establishments, where she gained notoriety for her delectable salads, particularly her famous potato salad. From her time at Club 7-75 to her tenure at the Matador Supper Club, Caroline's warm personality brought joy to the many co-workers and customers. In honor of her 20 years of work at the Matador, her boss, Bill, gave her a basket of 80 red roses for her 80th birthday.

Caroline’s warm hospitality and penchant for quick meals were legendary, creating a welcoming atmosphere many of her friends and family. She always had delicious, home-made dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls with orange icing, lemon meringue pie, or cookies at the ready. Caroline also made home-made pickles that were a family favorite.

Left to cherish Caroline’s memory are her daughter, Darlene (David) Yeager; son, Douglas (Mary) Zahn; daughter-in-law, Rae Ann Zahn; seven grandchildren: Michael Yeager (Carrie), Jerrod (Stefanie) Yeager, Carmen Zahn, Tonya (Vadim) Novitskiy, Bruce Zahn (Alexandra Briskey), Aaron (Heather) Zahn, and Joshua (Samantha) Zahn; numerous great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; very special nephew, Curtis Pansch, who Arthur and Caroline raised after the passing of his parents; and sister-in-law, Rita Hillman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Arthur; son, Dale Zahn; grandsons: Brian Yeager, Scott Yeager, and Brendan Zahn; siblings: Clarence Hillman, Arthur Hillman, and Leona Zahn; brother-in-law, Alfred “Fritz” Zahn; and sister-in-law, Florence Hillman.