Lucille Zimmel, age 89, of Mahnomen, MN, died Saturday, September 03, 2011 at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.

Lucille Lydia Gens was born October 15, 1921 on the farm in Blue Earth County near Vernon Center, MN. Growing up, she attended country school in Crisco Township. At the age of 15, Lucille moved with her family to a farm east of Mahnomen in Chief Township. She met the love of her life, Leavern Zimmel and on October 23, 1940 they were united in marriage at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beaulieu, MN. Following their wedding, the couple made their home together on Leavern's parents' farm in Chief Township. Over the next 40 years, Leavern and Lucille took over the family farm and raised their seven children. In 1981, they retired from farming and moved into Mahnomen. Leavern died in January of 1994 and Lucille continued to make her home in town until July of 2010 when she moved into the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.

While living on the farm, Lucille had numerous flower beds, a huge vegetable garden and fruit trees. When they moved to town, so did her green thumb and passion for flowers. She loved being out in the garden and having various flowers to nurture, even as recent as last year before she moved into the nursing home. When not tending to her flowers, Lucille passed the time with sewing, quilting and making braided rugs. She made many baby quilts for the grand and great-grandchildren. Also, it didn't matter whether it was family or friends, Lucille enjoyed having company and the many conversations they would have. She was a past member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers of Beaulieu and currently was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen. Lucille also held memberships with the Garden Club and the Homemaker's Club.

Surviving Lucille are her four sons: Loren (Shelly) Zimmel, Mahnomen, Allen (Cindy) Zimmel, Mahnomen, Harley (Bonnie) Zimmel, Evansville, MN, and Gerald (Sue) Zimmel, Dilworth, MN; three daughters: Linda (John) Blaser, Fosston, MN, Karen (Tom) Houska, Mahnomen, and Sandra (Ray) Klinkhammer, also Mahnomen; 32 grandchildren; 80 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; three brothers: Richard Gens, Good Thunder, MN, Bob Gens, Mapleton, MN, and Vern (Pearl) Gens, Mankato, MN; four sisters: Elnora Becker and Lorna Jesse, both of Madelia, MN, Betty Wolff, Madison Lake, MN, and Donna Barneke, Eagle Lake, MN; brother-in-law, Jim (Joyce) Jennings, Eagle Lake, MN and sister-in-law, Ruth Zimmel, Dilworth, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter-in-law, Betty Zimmel and family members: Walt and Cornelia Gens, Bill Jesse, Henry Becker, Earl and Delores Gens, Lyle and Virginia Gens, Katy Gens, Arlis Jennings and Reuben Gens.

Blessed be the memory of Lucille Zimmel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 2 pm at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 6th from 5-7 pm with a prayer service and rosary beginning at 5:30 pm all at St. Michael's Catholic Church.

Burial will be in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Beaulieu, MN.