Major Donald Eugene Zahn, 94, was born Oct. 15, 1920, and joined his loving wife Norma in heaven on May 10, 2015.
Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, June 6, 2015, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church on the 71st anniversary of D-Day. Pastor Steve Neuder will be officiating.
“Don” as he liked to be called was born Oct. 15, 1920, at home in Bellingham, Minn., the only child of William and Serena Zahn. He was raised on the family farm until the age of 8. The family moved to St. Louis Park, Minn., where he attended school. At the age of 10 he went to work at Interlachen Country Club.
Don graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1939. During high school he lettered in track and football. Don was the captain of the track team and placed fifth in the state of Minnesota in the 440-yard dash.
Don attended the University of Minnesota for three years and, in 1942, enlisted in the Army Paratroopers. He was sent to Taccoa, Ga., and was one of the original “Taccoa” men. He made the “March from Atlanta” a 132-mile march and then completed jump training at Fort Benning, Ga.
Don was a member of the 101st Airborne, H Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and jumped on D Day, June 6, 1944. He received the Distinguished Service Cross when he was the first to volunteer to cross the bridge at Brevands onto enemy shore. Don was alone on a 30-minute recon where he was able to locate German troops and gun placements. Other troopers arrived and they all came under fire, the Americans returned fire and they recrossed the bridge under the lower bridge supports to avoid further enemy fire.
Don made two more jumps during World War II, and received the Bronze Star for heroic service and two Purple Hearts. Don was the officer in charge of the platoon guarding The Berghof, Hitler’s Mansion in Berchtesgaden. Don was very humble about his accomplishments and it was only in recent years he started to share his stories. After World War II, Don joined the Army Reserves and retired after 20 years of service attaining the rank of major.
Don met the love of his life Norma Lee on a blind date and they were married May 23,1947, and spent the next 66 years together.They had nine children and raised their family in Edina, Minn. Don worked for McFarland Pole Company as a salesman and, in 1973, the family moved to Sandpoint for Don’s job and then, in 1975 ,relocated to Denver, Colo., where they spent the next 34 years.
Don enjoyed many fishing trips in northern Minnesota, took up skiing in Sandpoint, spending many weekends at Schweitzer Basin, and in Denver he loved tending to his vegetable garden and flower baskets. Together Don and Norma enjoyed skiing, going to Denver Bronco games, traveling and spending time with their kids and grandkids. They loved to entertain and it was never hard to find a reason to celebrate.
Don and Norma returned to Sandpoint in 2009 and resided at Luther Park. They were members of the First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint. Don will be remembered as a strong, brave, kind and generous family man, who had a deep faith in the Lord and loved his wife and family abundantly.
He will be greatly missed by friends and loved ones. Don is survived by his nine children, Karen Roberts of Miami, Fla., Nancy Holvenstot of Hopewell, Va., Steve (Carol) Zahn of Dellwood, Minn., Valerie (Casey) Jones of Ivins, Utah, Barbara (Gary) Ridley of Sandpoint, Judie (Gary) Wagner of Charlotte, N.C., David (Beck) Zahn of San Antonio, Texas, Kathie (Sean) Scott of Denver, Colo., and Kristie (Mike) Shaffer of Denver; 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and two nieces and two nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, William and Serena Zahn; and his wife of 66 years, Norma Zahn. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church of Sandpoint. Together, Donald and Norma’s inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in the fall.
Family and friends are invited to sign Donald’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Coffelt Funeral Service.
Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, June 6, 2015, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church on the 71st anniversary of D-Day. Pastor Steve Neuder will be officiating.
“Don” as he liked to be called was born Oct. 15, 1920, at home in Bellingham, Minn., the only child of William and Serena Zahn. He was raised on the family farm until the age of 8. The family moved to St. Louis Park, Minn., where he attended school. At the age of 10 he went to work at Interlachen Country Club.
Don graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1939. During high school he lettered in track and football. Don was the captain of the track team and placed fifth in the state of Minnesota in the 440-yard dash.
Don attended the University of Minnesota for three years and, in 1942, enlisted in the Army Paratroopers. He was sent to Taccoa, Ga., and was one of the original “Taccoa” men. He made the “March from Atlanta” a 132-mile march and then completed jump training at Fort Benning, Ga.
Don was a member of the 101st Airborne, H Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and jumped on D Day, June 6, 1944. He received the Distinguished Service Cross when he was the first to volunteer to cross the bridge at Brevands onto enemy shore. Don was alone on a 30-minute recon where he was able to locate German troops and gun placements. Other troopers arrived and they all came under fire, the Americans returned fire and they recrossed the bridge under the lower bridge supports to avoid further enemy fire.
Don made two more jumps during World War II, and received the Bronze Star for heroic service and two Purple Hearts. Don was the officer in charge of the platoon guarding The Berghof, Hitler’s Mansion in Berchtesgaden. Don was very humble about his accomplishments and it was only in recent years he started to share his stories. After World War II, Don joined the Army Reserves and retired after 20 years of service attaining the rank of major.
Don met the love of his life Norma Lee on a blind date and they were married May 23,1947, and spent the next 66 years together.They had nine children and raised their family in Edina, Minn. Don worked for McFarland Pole Company as a salesman and, in 1973, the family moved to Sandpoint for Don’s job and then, in 1975 ,relocated to Denver, Colo., where they spent the next 34 years.
Don enjoyed many fishing trips in northern Minnesota, took up skiing in Sandpoint, spending many weekends at Schweitzer Basin, and in Denver he loved tending to his vegetable garden and flower baskets. Together Don and Norma enjoyed skiing, going to Denver Bronco games, traveling and spending time with their kids and grandkids. They loved to entertain and it was never hard to find a reason to celebrate.
Don and Norma returned to Sandpoint in 2009 and resided at Luther Park. They were members of the First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint. Don will be remembered as a strong, brave, kind and generous family man, who had a deep faith in the Lord and loved his wife and family abundantly.
He will be greatly missed by friends and loved ones. Don is survived by his nine children, Karen Roberts of Miami, Fla., Nancy Holvenstot of Hopewell, Va., Steve (Carol) Zahn of Dellwood, Minn., Valerie (Casey) Jones of Ivins, Utah, Barbara (Gary) Ridley of Sandpoint, Judie (Gary) Wagner of Charlotte, N.C., David (Beck) Zahn of San Antonio, Texas, Kathie (Sean) Scott of Denver, Colo., and Kristie (Mike) Shaffer of Denver; 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and two nieces and two nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, William and Serena Zahn; and his wife of 66 years, Norma Zahn. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church of Sandpoint. Together, Donald and Norma’s inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in the fall.
Family and friends are invited to sign Donald’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Coffelt Funeral Service.
Major Donald Eugene Zahn, 94, was born Oct. 15, 1920, and joined his loving wife Norma in heaven on May 10, 2015.
Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, June 6, 2015, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church on the 71st anniversary of D-Day. Pastor Steve Neuder will be officiating.
“Don” as he liked to be called was born Oct. 15, 1920, at home in Bellingham, Minn., the only child of William and Serena Zahn. He was raised on the family farm until the age of 8. The family moved to St. Louis Park, Minn., where he attended school. At the age of 10 he went to work at Interlachen Country Club.
Don graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1939. During high school he lettered in track and football. Don was the captain of the track team and placed fifth in the state of Minnesota in the 440-yard dash.
Don attended the University of Minnesota for three years and, in 1942, enlisted in the Army Paratroopers. He was sent to Taccoa, Ga., and was one of the original “Taccoa” men. He made the “March from Atlanta” a 132-mile march and then completed jump training at Fort Benning, Ga.
Don was a member of the 101st Airborne, H Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and jumped on D Day, June 6, 1944. He received the Distinguished Service Cross when he was the first to volunteer to cross the bridge at Brevands onto enemy shore. Don was alone on a 30-minute recon where he was able to locate German troops and gun placements. Other troopers arrived and they all came under fire, the Americans returned fire and they recrossed the bridge under the lower bridge supports to avoid further enemy fire.
Don made two more jumps during World War II, and received the Bronze Star for heroic service and two Purple Hearts. Don was the officer in charge of the platoon guarding The Berghof, Hitler’s Mansion in Berchtesgaden. Don was very humble about his accomplishments and it was only in recent years he started to share his stories. After World War II, Don joined the Army Reserves and retired after 20 years of service attaining the rank of major.
Don met the love of his life Norma Lee on a blind date and they were married May 23,1947, and spent the next 66 years together.They had nine children and raised their family in Edina, Minn. Don worked for McFarland Pole Company as a salesman and, in 1973, the family moved to Sandpoint for Don’s job and then, in 1975 ,relocated to Denver, Colo., where they spent the next 34 years.
Don enjoyed many fishing trips in northern Minnesota, took up skiing in Sandpoint, spending many weekends at Schweitzer Basin, and in Denver he loved tending to his vegetable garden and flower baskets. Together Don and Norma enjoyed skiing, going to Denver Bronco games, traveling and spending time with their kids and grandkids. They loved to entertain and it was never hard to find a reason to celebrate.
Don and Norma returned to Sandpoint in 2009 and resided at Luther Park. They were members of the First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint. Don will be remembered as a strong, brave, kind and generous family man, who had a deep faith in the Lord and loved his wife and family abundantly.
He will be greatly missed by friends and loved ones. Don is survived by his nine children, Karen Roberts of Miami, Fla., Nancy Holvenstot of Hopewell, Va., Steve (Carol) Zahn of Dellwood, Minn., Valerie (Casey) Jones of Ivins, Utah, Barbara (Gary) Ridley of Sandpoint, Judie (Gary) Wagner of Charlotte, N.C., David (Beck) Zahn of San Antonio, Texas, Kathie (Sean) Scott of Denver, Colo., and Kristie (Mike) Shaffer of Denver; 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and two nieces and two nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, William and Serena Zahn; and his wife of 66 years, Norma Zahn. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church of Sandpoint. Together, Donald and Norma’s inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in the fall.
Family and friends are invited to sign Donald’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Coffelt Funeral Service.
Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, June 6, 2015, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church on the 71st anniversary of D-Day. Pastor Steve Neuder will be officiating.
“Don” as he liked to be called was born Oct. 15, 1920, at home in Bellingham, Minn., the only child of William and Serena Zahn. He was raised on the family farm until the age of 8. The family moved to St. Louis Park, Minn., where he attended school. At the age of 10 he went to work at Interlachen Country Club.
Don graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1939. During high school he lettered in track and football. Don was the captain of the track team and placed fifth in the state of Minnesota in the 440-yard dash.
Don attended the University of Minnesota for three years and, in 1942, enlisted in the Army Paratroopers. He was sent to Taccoa, Ga., and was one of the original “Taccoa” men. He made the “March from Atlanta” a 132-mile march and then completed jump training at Fort Benning, Ga.
Don was a member of the 101st Airborne, H Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and jumped on D Day, June 6, 1944. He received the Distinguished Service Cross when he was the first to volunteer to cross the bridge at Brevands onto enemy shore. Don was alone on a 30-minute recon where he was able to locate German troops and gun placements. Other troopers arrived and they all came under fire, the Americans returned fire and they recrossed the bridge under the lower bridge supports to avoid further enemy fire.
Don made two more jumps during World War II, and received the Bronze Star for heroic service and two Purple Hearts. Don was the officer in charge of the platoon guarding The Berghof, Hitler’s Mansion in Berchtesgaden. Don was very humble about his accomplishments and it was only in recent years he started to share his stories. After World War II, Don joined the Army Reserves and retired after 20 years of service attaining the rank of major.
Don met the love of his life Norma Lee on a blind date and they were married May 23,1947, and spent the next 66 years together.They had nine children and raised their family in Edina, Minn. Don worked for McFarland Pole Company as a salesman and, in 1973, the family moved to Sandpoint for Don’s job and then, in 1975 ,relocated to Denver, Colo., where they spent the next 34 years.
Don enjoyed many fishing trips in northern Minnesota, took up skiing in Sandpoint, spending many weekends at Schweitzer Basin, and in Denver he loved tending to his vegetable garden and flower baskets. Together Don and Norma enjoyed skiing, going to Denver Bronco games, traveling and spending time with their kids and grandkids. They loved to entertain and it was never hard to find a reason to celebrate.
Don and Norma returned to Sandpoint in 2009 and resided at Luther Park. They were members of the First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint. Don will be remembered as a strong, brave, kind and generous family man, who had a deep faith in the Lord and loved his wife and family abundantly.
He will be greatly missed by friends and loved ones. Don is survived by his nine children, Karen Roberts of Miami, Fla., Nancy Holvenstot of Hopewell, Va., Steve (Carol) Zahn of Dellwood, Minn., Valerie (Casey) Jones of Ivins, Utah, Barbara (Gary) Ridley of Sandpoint, Judie (Gary) Wagner of Charlotte, N.C., David (Beck) Zahn of San Antonio, Texas, Kathie (Sean) Scott of Denver, Colo., and Kristie (Mike) Shaffer of Denver; 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and two nieces and two nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, William and Serena Zahn; and his wife of 66 years, Norma Zahn. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church of Sandpoint. Together, Donald and Norma’s inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in the fall.
Family and friends are invited to sign Donald’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Coffelt Funeral Service.
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