Lee M. Zenner, age 61, passed away peacefully on Dec. 1, 2022 at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, Minnesota after complications from a recent surgery.
Lee was born August 13, 1961 in Medford, WI to Clifford and Elaine Zenner. He grew up on a dairy farm with his three siblings. He graduated High School from River Falls, WI with the class of 1979. Lee met the love of his life; Joyce in River Falls in 1990 and later moved to Hastings, Minnesota in 1991.
They were married on Sept. 17, 1994 and raised two beautiful children together, Clayton and Caelee. Lee had a larger than life personality with his sense of humor and huge heart. He had a gift for meeting and connecting with people instantly, and he would do anything for anyone. He worked various warehouse jobs throughout the years at Grist Mill, Conagra, Burmeister, Stuart C Irby, and the last one being Rienchem; while also working part time for Smart Ride on the weekends. Lee and Joyce purchased the Smart Ride company in 2016 and have owned and operated it ever since. His passions were playing pull tabs, watching the Green Bay Packers, Badgers, and any football games to follow his football boards. He enjoyed travelling to different campgrounds with the children when they were young along with family and friends and continued to do so in the last few years with his wife, Joyce at the Cannon Falls Campground. Lee loved spending time and hanging out with his friends and family, and any extra time he had with his three spoiled grand-dogs; Zeus, Tuck, & Ada.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Elaine; sister, Sandy; brother-in-law, Dave; and his parents-in-law Eldon and Arlene Klecker.
Lee is survived by his loving wife, Joyce of 28 years; their children, Clayton and Caelee (Mitch Sandstrom); brother, Kurt (Lori) Zenner; sister, Mary Mertes; brotherin-law, Gordan Bach; Sisterin-laws, Brenda (Christian) Bertram, Betty (Bobby) Neuville, Jean (Jim) Good; brother-in-law, Jerry (Julie) Baggenstoss; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, along with his Smart Ride family.
A visitation will be held on Dec. 9, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.12 p.m. at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion St. Hastings, Minnesota. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 p.m. with a reception to follow at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.
