Zella M. Donat, age 86, of Cambridge died December 29, 2011 at GracePointe Crossing Gables East. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, December 31st at Strike Funeral Home – ISANTI Chapel with Chaplain Len Ochowicz officiating. A visitation will be held from Noon until the service at 2:00 Saturday at our Isanti Chapel. Interment will be in Athens Lutheran Cemetery.
Zella M. Donat was born May 22, 1925 in Browerville, Minnesota to Oscar and Merlin (Frank) Opsal. She grew up in the Browerville/Grey Eagle area. On February 15, 1947 Zella was united in marriage to Donald Donat in Grey Eagle. They made their home there until moving to the Spring Lake Park/Anoka area where they raised their children. In 1969 they moved to Bemidji and in 1974 to Cambridge. In 1978 they moved to Bethel and Zella moved to Riverwood Village in Cambridge in 2006. In her younger years she worked at Cambridge Launderers and Cleaners and then at Honeywell. She enjoyed working and returned to Cambridge Launderers and worked as long as her health allowed. She also enjoyed crocheting, sewing and flowers.
Zella Donat passed away December 29, 2011 at GracePointe Crossing Gables East at the age of 86 years, 7 months and 7 days. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald in1979; five brothers, Kenneth, Calvin, Donnie, Oscar and Alton; and two sisters, Marie and Lila.
Zella is survived by three sons; Don (Verla) Donat of Stanchfield, Dennis (Connie) Donat of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, Doug (Becky) Donat of Isanti; one daughter, Debbie (Jim) Peters of Burlington, Washington; one sister, Ida of Long Prairie; 8 grandchildren, Greg, Todd, Marnie, Lee, Kyle, Christy, Cory and Erin; 7 great-grandchildren, Brandon, Samantha, Alyson, Daniel, Katie, Garrett, and Ayden; and by other relatives and friends.