Mike Robert Zabel

Mike Zabel, age 67, of Sacred Heart, Minnesota, died Thursday, September 1, 2022, at the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall, Minnesota. A Memorial Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 16, 2022, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. A time to share memories will begin at 7:00 p.m. A private interment will take place in Rochester, Minnesota, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Bitty Kitty Brigade (bittykittybrigade.org), or a charity of the donor's choice.

Michael Robert Zabel was born on June 6, 1955, to Robert and LaVerne (Gorski) Zabel in Tallahassee, Florida. He grew up in the Rochester, Minnesota, area where he was baptized, received first communion, and was confirmed at St. Francis Catholic Church. Mike graduated from Lourdes High School in 1973 and continued his education at the University of Minnesota where he graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science in 1977.

On December 2nd, 1978, Mike was united in marriage to Darla Slater at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Willmar, Minnesota. The couple made their home there briefly while he worked at the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home before finding employment with the Sunset Funeral Home in Echo, Minnesota. He worked there as a funeral director from 1981 until the early 1990s. Most recently, Mike was employed at Grill Works in Marshall and officially retired in 2020.

Mike was passionate about serving the families that called on him during his funeral service career which carried into his service as a volunteer first responder, volunteer firefighter and City Council member in Echo. In his spare time, Mike enjoyed golfing, spending time with family, and frequently traveled to Las Vegas on trips to see his grandchildren.

Mike Zabel passed away peacefully in Marshall, Minnesota, on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center. He had reached the age of 67 years, 2 months, and 26 days. Blessed be his memory.

He is survived by his children, April Zabel of Maplewood, Eric Zabel of Las Vegas, NV; mother, LaVerne Zabel of Rochester; 3 grandchildren, Jacob Zabel, Joseph Zabel, Benjamin Zabel all of Las Vegas, NV; former spouse, Darla Slater of Sacred Heart; 5 siblings, Patty Sandmeyer of Red Wing, Sue (and Ron) Moffit of Rochester, John (and Gayle) Zabel of Hudson, WI, Chris (and Cheryl) Zabel of Bigfork, MT, Barb (and Dave) Klein of Clearwater; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Mike is preceded in death by his father, Bob Zabel; brother, Jeff Zabel; and numerous beloved pets over the years.