Donald Charles Zeller

Donald Charles Zeller, age 81, of Farmington, Minnesota passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025 at the VA Medical Center.

He was preceded in death by parents, Edward and Eva (Clark) Zeller; six brothers, Edward, Richard, Joseph, John, James, and Thomas; and four sisters, Mary, Patricia, Jean, and Margaret.

Donald is survived by his wife of 55 years, Pamala; three children, John (Chris), Daniel (Laurie), and Ruth (Joshua) Ewing; six grandchildren, Tad, Karissa, Tara, Brittany, Nicholas, and Nikolas; and multiple great-grandchildren.

Donald was born on June 15th, 1943, in Rapid City, SD. He graduated from Cathedral High School in Rapid City in 1961. He joined the United States Air Force in September 1963, served in Thailand during the Vietnam conflict, and was honorably discharged in July 1967. He married Pamala (Black) on July 26, 1969, in Las Vegas, NV, and moved to Southern California in 1971, until moving to Minnesota in 1985. Donald worked as a commercial aircraft mechanic, starting with Bonanza in 1968 and continuing until retirement from Northwest Airlines in 2005. Donald was actively involved in church, serving with various youth groups and church leadership, volunteered at the Salvation Army, and was a group leader with Bible Study Fellowship. He remained a social person and would happily engage in conversation with anyone who would listen, including at the local Kwik Trip, where he would frequently ride his bike. His love of God showed through his enthusiasm to fellowship with other believers.

The family would like to thank Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville and the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis for the care and compassion they showed Donald in his final days.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial for Donald on Saturday, March 29th, at South Suburban Church in Apple Valley. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m., and a luncheon to follow. Donald will be interred at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Salvation Army in Donald’s honor.