Marlyn “Zack” Zacharias, 82, Owatonna
Marlyn Arthur Zacharias “Zack” passed away Monday, March 27, 2023, at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna, at the age of 82 from complications of Lewy Body Dementia.
He was born March 18, 1941, to Arthur and Loretta (Abbe) Zacharias in Waseca.
He graduated from Owatonna High School in 1959 and continued his education at Mankato State University.
He married Virginia Bucek on Dec. 30, 1959, in Hampton, Iowa.
Marlyn worked at Owatonna Manufacturing until the death of his father in 1963, at which time he returned to the family farm, where he would continue to farm until he retired in 1994. In the later years, he planted sweet corn and peas for Birds Eye Foods.
He was a lifetime member of the Elks and Owatonna Country Club where he served on the Board of Directors. He was a past member of Rotary and served on the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce Board. He also served on the rural School Board and the Steele County Fair in several areas before serving on the Board of Directors for eight years.
Marlyn was the owner operator of Owatonna Racquet Club for several years before selling the business. Marlyn was instrumental in starting Community Bank of Owatonna where he was a founder and served on the Board of Directors for several years.
Marlyn’s hobbies were golf, woodworking and watching all sports. Woodworking became a passion that produced many cherished pieces of furniture as well as a set of kitchen cabinets for their home.
Marlyn and Virginia enjoyed spending time with their family and friends. They wintered in Ft. Myers, Florida for many years and then several years in Rio Verde, Arizona. Most recently, they spent winters in Georgia to be near Doug's family. Zack especially enjoyed his Elk’s friends and their “meetings.”
Marlyn is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia; daughter Sue (Tom) Tuma, Owatonna; son Doug (Ann) Zacharias, Woodstock, Georgia; grandsons: Dylan and Ryan Tuma, and Zane and Cole Zacharias; siblings Lorraine (Jim) Clayton, Alexandria, and Beverly (Harold) Stofferahn, Chaska; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. Also, special friends Reid and Daria Stransky and sons, Joseph, Zach, Jerome and Darian.
He was preceded in death by his parents Art and Loretta Zacharias, and brother-in-law Dennis Bucek.
Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m., Monday, April 10, 2023, at Brick-Meger Funeral Home. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow the memorial service at Bohemian National Cemetery. Friends and family will gather for lunch, fellowship and to toast Zack at the Owatonna Elks Lodge from 12:30 – 3 p.m.