Darlene K. Zinnel, 69, Swea City

A funeral service for Darlene K. Zinnel was held Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the First United Methodist Church in Swea City. Pastor Todd Hartsock, Pastor Kent Wallace and Pastor Peter Otis officiated. Interment was in Harrison Township Cemetery at Swea City. Henry Olson Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Darlene Kay Zinnel, the daughter of James and Donna Belle (Stark) Seavert, was born on April 19, 1952, in Royal. Darlene was called to Heaven on Monday, June 28, 2021, at MercyOne Hospital in Mason City, at the age of 69 years.

Darlene attended Clay Central High School, graduating in 1970, and later attended business school to become a medical secretary. Her first job was in Worthington, Minn., where she later met Steve, as the X-Ray department secretary. She continued in the medical field and worked at the local school before retiring from the Bancroft Nursing Home.

She married Stephen Zinnel on July 14, 1973. The couple made their home in Worthington, Minn. before Steve's job took them to Dyersville. This is where their first son, Christopher, was born. They later moved to Fulda, Minn. where Timothy was born, and to Heron Lake, Minn., where Jonathan was born. The family moved to Swea City in 1993.

Darlene was dedicated to the Lord's work, a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, her lady's bible study group and various church groups, and was the director of the Joyful Noise Choir. She also volunteered and lent a helping hand to those in need through Thrivent.

In her free time, Darlene enjoyed everything family: playing games of Scrabble with her mother, quilting and sewing, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Stephen Zinnel, of Swea City; her "3 Boys" and five grandchildren: Christopher (Tysen) Zinnel, of Swea City; Timothy and Jennifer (Taevyn, Jaxlee, Trake) Zinnel, of Algona; and Jonathan and Lauren (Sophie) Zinnel, of Elk River, Minn.; as well as her mother, Donna Belle Seavert; brothers, Dan Seavert and Dale Seavert; and many other loving relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, James Seavert; brother, Doug Seavert; mother and father-in-law, Jean and Marvin Zinnel; and her dear cousins, Virginia Reimann and Mike Curley.