Marcell Arthur Zurn

Marcell was born on March 29th, 1928, on the White Earth Reservation and went home to the Lord, surrounded by his loving family, on January 28th, 2018, at Mercy Medical Center in Coon Rapids, MN, following a short illness, at the age of 89.

Marcell was the oldest of ten children of Nicholas William & Stella Marie (Bellefeuille) Zurn. He grew up on the family farm outside Callaway, MN, and also farmed with his grandfather Louis George Zurn. He made the transition from horses to mechanical equipment, and was highly skilled with both at a very young age. Marcell went to school in District 132 – a one-room local rural school. He enlisted in The Marine Corps, and following his initial tour of duty, he completed training as an electrician at Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. He was called back from the active reserves and fought as a Marine scout in the 1st Marine Division in Korea from 1950 to 1952.

Marcell married Rosemary Alice Savig at Assumption Catholic Church in Callaway on June 10th, 1952. They raised their seven children in Moorhead, MN. He was a volunteer at St. Joseph’s Church, and as a conservative in the Republican Party.

He worked for his uncle, Chris Zurn, doing plastering and stucco work as Zurn Plastering. Marcell sold insurance for a short time, and then worked for Sears at West Acres in Fargo. He started as a warehouseman, earned master plumbing & heating licenses and supervised the appliance techs, and became a department manager. He greatly enjoyed his co-workers and customers, and excelled at training techs and at marketing. Marcell went from farming with horses to selling high-end electronics, a remarkable work life.

Marcell was always learning and had excellent recall. Using his broad range of knowledge, he taught co-workers, his children, grandchildren, and many others. He gave back to his family and community in many ways. We are extremely blessed to have known him.

Marcell is survived by his beloved wife, Rosemary, of Coon Rapids, MN, children Denise Zurn (Terry Freeman), Renee Zurn, Lois (Richard) King, Mark (Linda) Zurn, Ann Zurn (John Hemmerle), Susan (Tom) Lambert, Andrew (Mary) Zurn, 24 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren (Lord, he enjoyed these children), as well as siblings Betty Dean, Estelle (Ray) Farley, Arletta (Art) Munger, David (Eleanor) Zurn, sisters-in-law Shirley Zurn and Wanda Zurn, and many nieces, nephews and close cousins.

Marcell rests now in the arms of the Lord, with his parents, step-mother, and grandparents, and many much-loved family members who preceded him in death, including his sister Mary and his brothers Duane (Delores), Marcus (Gail), Harlan, and Merlen. May the light of Jesus Christ, our Savior, shine perpetually upon him, and grant him peace. He will be greatly missed – Semper Fi, Dad.

FRI - FEB 9th at Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids, visitation 9:15 AM, rosary 9:45 AM, funeral mass 10:30 AM, and luncheon to follow.

SAT - FEB 17th at Assumption Church in Callaway, prayer service 10:30 AM, with luncheon to follow, and internment at St. Mary’s Cemetery with military honors.