Mervin Zabel

Mervin A. Zabel, age 88 of Browns Valley, MN, died February 27, 2018, at Coteau des Prairies Hospital in Sisseton, SD.

Funeral Services for Mervin will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist-Presbyterian Church in Browns Valley, MN. Pastor Abagail Ozanne will officiate, Todd Johnson will be the soloist, and Ginny Westbrock will be the organist. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment will be held at Valley View Cemetery in Browns Valley.

Casket Bearers will be: Wendy Gruby, Lindsay Zabel, Michael Readel, Mandy Readel, Zoey Gruby, Wyatt Gruby, Kamden Gruby, and Aydn Zabel.

Mervin Arthur Zabel was born on March 3, 1929, to Arthur and Edna (Jarcho) Zabel in Mankato, MN.  After Mervin was born, his family relocated to: Buford, MN, La Seuer, MN; and settled in Rapidan, MN in 1945. He graduated from Rapidan High School with the Class of 1947. Following high school, he attended Mankato Commercial College. He worked for the Rapidan Bank for three years until he joined the United States Army on January 16, 1951.  He was stationed at Camp Rucker during the Korean Conflict. Merv worked in the Business Office, Division 47 Finance, with the 164th Infantry doing payroll. In total, he spent 22 months with the United States Army.

In December of 1952, Mervin went to work for the Bank of Elk River as a teller. On January 11, 1954, Mervin moved to Browns Valley, MN. He was employed by the Union State Bank as an Assistant Cashier and ran Ronning Insurance Agency. Mervin met his future wife, Patricia “Patty” Paulson at the bank, as they were both employees of Stan and Eleanor Ronning. They were married on August 5, 1955, and made their home in Browns Valley. In 1967, Mervin and Patty purchased the bank with fellow banker, Jay Lowry. Mervin and Patty later became the sole owners of the bank. He was the CEO of the bank and visited the bank daily until his passing.

Mervin was an avid hunter, loved sports and politics. He wintered in Arizona with Patty for over thirty years and was a member of the American Legion for over 60 years.  He took pride in his family, cherishing time spent with his children and grandchildren.  Merv was a strong supporter of Browns Valley.  He was very civic minded and would work tirelessly for things he felt important to the community.

Mervin will be fondly remembered by his children: Patsy (Pete) Readel of West Fargo, ND; Bob (Brenda) Zabel of Browns Valley, MN; grandchildren: Wendy (Jered) Gruby, Mandy Readel, Michael Readel, Lindsay Zabel; great grandchildren: Zoey Gruby, Wyatt Gruby, Aydn Zabel, and Kamden Gruby.

He is preceded in death by: his wife, Patty; his parents: Arthur and Edna Zabel; sisters: Marian Gummer, Doris Kast, and Geraldine Hasty.