Dennis Funeral Homes

JOSEPH F. ZIMPRICH JR., age 78 of Elysian died on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at his home in Elysian.

Born on April 29, 1931 in Waseca, Minnesota he was the son of Joseph and Mary (Ressler) Zimprich Sr.  Joe attended the Okaman and Hoffman School Districts in rural Waseca County before attending Waterville High School.  Following his schooling, he helped on the family farm as well as for Emil Pfalzgraff and LeRoy Greenwald in the gravel and construction business.  Joe married Shirley Meschke on November 3, 1956.  He later worked at a gas station in Faribault before working for North Star Concrete in Mankato for 24 years.  He also spent a summer working in the Black Hills of South Dakota and later for G&T Trucking in Elko before retiring.  In his retirement, Joe worked for Cenex in Elysian as well as helping area farmers.  Joe always made it a priority to be of service and to help others.  He also enjoyed cutting wood, riding motorcycle, farming, fishing, and hunting.  Joe was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Elysian and the John Deere 2-Cylinder Club.  He was also a member of the Serra Franciscan Brotherhood.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Elysian; four sons, Joseph (Valerie) Zimprich III of Le Center, Andrew (Laurie) Zimprich of Le Sueur, Michael (Lori) Zimprich of Elysian, and Craig (Kimberly Gossen) Zimprich of Waterville; 11 grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.  He is also survived by one brother, Earl (Marti) Zimprich of Elysian; one sister-in-law, Janice Curtiss of Faribault and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one great grandson-Anthony Zimprich, four brothers-Julius, Bernard, Gordon, and Leo, and one sister-Verna.

Visitation will be held at the Prosch-Dennis Funeral Home in Waterville on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 from 4-8 PM with a 4:30 PM rosary and continue on Wednesday, one hour before services at the church.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 10:00 AM at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Elysian with Rev. Michael Ince officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Jarlath Cemetery in Iosco Township, Waseca County.