A longtime resident of Jordan, MN, Richard Robert Zaun, age 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 1, 2018 at the Belle Plaine Lutheran Home.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a graveside service honoring Richard’s life on Saturday, January 6 at 2 pm, at Spirit Hill Cemetery. Pastor Elden Eklund will lead the service. He will receive military honors provided by the Jordan Vets Honor Guard.
The life story of Richard Zaun started with the union of marriage of his parents Elmer Raymond, the son of George and Emma (Madera) Zaun, and Ethel Marie, the daughter of Reinhold and Minnie (Buss) Kerkow, Zaun, on November 9, 1935. On March 14, 1936 in the New Prague Community Hospital, he was born the first of four children. Richard was baptized and later confirmed in 1950 at Freedom Evangelical Church in Landsburg, MN. Richard and his brothers, Kenneth and Donald, grew up working hard on the family farm. They spent countless hours working in the fields and tending to the animals. In 1957, Richard and his family were graced with a baby sister Sharon, regrettably, she passed away soon after.
Graduating from New Prague High School in 1955, Richard furthered his education at Mankato Teachers College. He graduated with a teaching degree in 1959. Instead of pursuing teaching, Richard was drafted into the United States Army in 1959. Stationed in Germany, he served in the engineer battalion, where Richard built bridges. He was also taking part in training exercises in how to destroy them as well. Richard was honorable discharged in 1962, yet continued to serve in the active reserves until 1966. Returning from the services, he started teaching in Pierz, MN. For the next eight years, Richard taught Social Studies in the junior high and senior high levels. During his tenure, he was the assistant coach for the Junior High basketball and football programs and also a Boy Scout leader.
Richard married Marilyn Harder in 1969. They were together for five years, before Richard and Marilyn went their separate ways. During this union in 1970, he returned to his roots of farming. Richard worked side by side with his parents. Years later, his brother Donald also joined to work on the farm. Life for Richard changed with the passing of his mother in June of 1998 and father in October 2003. He was once again stricken with sadness with the passing of his brother, Donald in August 2015. Richard remained living on the farm until 2016. Due to his health, Richard moved into Oak Terrace Senior Living in Jordan, MN.
When Richard wasn’t farming, he treasured the time spent on genealogy for the Zaun family. Richard had the privilege to visit the village in German settled in 1852 by Christian Zaun. He enjoyed stamp collecting and the gathering of different specimens of corn. Richard too enjoyed working in the vegetable and flowers gardens. He had a special gift for growing cactus. Richard was proud of his military service and became a long-time member of the Minnesota American Legion.
The legacy of Richard will continue in the hearts of his brother, Kenneth E. (Carol) Zaun; nieces, Candace (Jim) Peris, Michelle Clayberger; nephew, Raymond (Lisa) Zaun; great-nephew and nieces, Kenneth Lee (Jessie) Zaun, Pamela (Tom) Callahan, Kristanne Peris, Karen Peris, Diana Clayberger, Sarah Clayberger; great-great nieces, Scarlett Zaun, Molly A. Callahan; many cousins and friends.
There is greet Richard in heaven are his parents, Elmer and Ethel Zaun; brother, Donald Zaun; infant sister, Sharon Zaun; grandparents, George and Emma Zaun and Reinhold and Minnie Kerkow.
The Zaun family was served with care and compassion of Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
