Florence Zinke

Florence Hulda Zinke (Zellmer), 91, of Bingham Lake passed away on May 12, 2023, at Lakeview Assisted Living in Heron Lake. Visitation was held on Sunday, May 21, from 2–4 p.m. at Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake Chapel, with a luncheon following at Bingham Lake Community Center. Graveside service and interment were at Mountain Lake City Cemetery on Monday, May 22, 1 p.m. The clergy was the Rev. Rick Bremseth. Online condolences and memories of Florence may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com. The family would like to thank the staff at Lakeview Assisted Living for their wonderful care and kindness which helped Florence enjoy her final year and to NeNe at Mountain Lake Floral for her amazing talent and always being so kind whenever the children ordered flowers for Mom.

Florence was born on March 6, 1932, to Friebert and Selma Hulda (Henslin) Zellmer at the farm in Blue Earth County. Florence was baptized and confirmed at Willow Creek Lutheran Church. She attended Willow Creek Parochial School until eighth grade. She then helped on the family farm.

She met the love of her life, Alfred Zinke, and the two were united in marriage on Feb. 10, 1956. This union blessed them with three children: Linda, Marlin and Carol. The couple farmed together in the Truman and South Branch area for several years before purchasing a farm and moving to Bingham Lake in January of 1969. Florence was a true farm girl though and through. She worked alongside Alfred, actively working by milking cows, taking care of baby calves, raising pigs, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. In addition to farming and raising animals, she hauled grain, planted and harvested crops, ran errands, baled hay, unloaded ear corn and ran the household. She would also process and butcher poultry into the wee hours of the morning. Florence enjoyed gardening, canning, polka music, hymns, playing cards and was a member of the garden club.

In the fall of 2018, Florence was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Her health started to decline in January of 2022, so she moved into The Lodge in Mountain Lake where she celebrated her 90th birthday. In May of 2022, she moved to Lakeview Assisted Living in Heron Lake and resided there until her passing.

Florence will be remembered for her quick smile, humor, working tirelessly to get the farm work done and her unconditional love and support. She was always there for her family and friends whenever they needed something.

She is survived by her children, Linda Kieper of Green, Ohio, Marlin of Bingham Lake and Carol (Rod) Totten of Green, Ohio; foster grandson, John Kieper (fiancée, Mariah) of Jackson; sister, Marlene Davis of Lewisville; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Friebert and Hulda Zellmer; husband, Alfred; sister- and brother-in-law, Lorna (Benard) Danhoff; brother in-law, Donald Davis; and son-in-law, Mike Kieper.