Michael "Mike" Allen Zinnel

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved brother and friend, Michael (Mike) Zinnel. Mike passed away at his home on January 16, 2025 at the age of 72.

Mike was born on May 20, 1952 to Delbert Zinnel and Marilyn (Johnson) Zinnel in Slayton, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm outside of Hadley, Minnesota and graduated from Slayton High School in 1970. He graduated with a BA in Business Admin from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. in 1974, and from the MN. Business School of Banking in 1981.

Mike spent many early years of his career working in the banking industry before becoming a Mortgage Consultant for the past 28 years. At the time of his death, he was a Mortgage Consultant for Cambria Mortgage. The best part of his job was the many people he met from all over the state and the wonderful people he was able to assist in helping meet their housing and mortgage needs. It was a joy for him to experience the fulfillment of a dream in home ownership for so many of his clients. The smiles that occurred when the transactions were closed was “priceless” to him.

Mike was a “people person” and had an ability to make friends easily because he was a great communicator, cared deeply, listened attentively, and was extremely loyal. If you were his friend, you were his friend for life. Mike’s sincere love was for his family and large contingency of friends, and it was his pleasure in life. Spending time with nieces, nephews, and all the greats brought him so much joy. Mike made a point to stay in touch with so many people, those who came into his life from as early as elementary school up to his current co-workers and friends. He was always the last one to leave a party.

When Mike was not working, he enjoyed following MN sports teams. He was an avid Twins fan and season ticket holder since 2004 and a supporter of the Hadley Buttermakers amateur baseball team. In his earlier years, Mike was a sports writer for the Murray County Herald, he coached high school tennis and assisted with Track and Field. Mike participated in racquetball, tennis, cross country skiing, and volleyball. He was particularly fond of swimming, and every night you would find him swimming in his apartment pool. Mike loved attending plays, concerts, and musical events. He said music was such a wonderful way of bringing people together and is the voice of God. When at home he loved experimenting with foods and cooking. He was also an eagle enthusiast and collected and displayed many eagle items. Not to mention, he had a very “green thumb” as he cared for many plants at his apartment and office.

Mike is survived by his 5 siblings: Deborah (David) Biren, Melanie Zinnel, Mark Zinnel, Doreen (Bob) Veenhuis, and Marcia (Michael) Geraets; 9 nieces and nephews: Sean Biren, Nathaniel (Jen) Zinnel, Matthew (Alicia) Biren, Brianne (Brady) Hedstrom, Danielle (Jarod) Murray, Taylor (Samantha) Zinnel, Jamie Geraets, Joshua (Amanda) Onken, and Jordan (Neil Helgeson) Geraets, and several great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by extended family members Deb Elliott, Catherine VandeBraak, Dave Onken, and many cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents Delbert and Marilyn Zinnel and his paternal and maternal grandparents.

A celebration of life will be on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Hadley Community Center in Hadley, MN from 12:30-4:00 pm. with a service at 1:00 p.m. Please bring some memories of Mike you would like to share with the family and others in attendance.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Hadley Buttermakers baseball team, Casey Jones Trail, or to a charity of your choice.

Author and poet David L. Weatherford wrote: “The Value of a life is best measured by the moments spent giving one’s self…Sharing wisdom, inspiring wisdom, inspiring hope, wiping tears, and touching hearts.”

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