Frank "Sonny" Zabel Jr.

Frank “Sonny” Zabel Jr., age 83, of Faribault, MN, passed away Thursday, October 24, 2019 at the Hennepin Heathcare Facility in Minneapolis, MN.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory, 1725 Lyndale Ave. N., Faribault, with Bernadette Tatge, officiating.  Interment will be at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park in Faribault, with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday for one hour prior to the services.

Frank Herbert Jr. was born on March 13, 1936 in Faribault to Frank Sr. and Eliza (Paquin) Zabel.  He was married to Yvonne Caron in 1956 and they were later divorced. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army on December 31, 1962.  Sonny worked for many years with B.H. Heselton Construction Co. and also farmed in Walcott Township on his family’s farm.  He then worked at Faribo Heating and Air until his retirement.  He was married to Lynn (Wolf) King on July 8, 2004.  Sonny enjoyed caring for his vegetable garden and playing horseshoes and cards.  He also hosted many family gatherings at the farm, providing hayrides for everyone.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn Zabel; children, Leslie “Pixie” Spratt (Roy Rahn), Melodie “Penny” (Chuck) Morris, and Steven (Jann) Zabel; grandchildren, Cassandra, Michael (Anna), Moranda, Marissa (Ian), Glen III, Brent (Jessica) and Paul; great grandchildren, Rowan and Crosby; step-son, Troy Markham; step-grandchildren, Mitchell and Brandon; step-great grandson, Benson; siblings, Donna Schultz, Kathleen “Putzer” (Larry) Bryan, and Ron (Judy) Zabel; and many other nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Sr. and Eliza; siblings, Opal Zabel in infancy, Delores Fuller, and Charleen Penman; and parents-in-law, Bob and Barb Wolf.

A special thank you to the staff at the Heritage House in Faribault and the Hennepin County Medical Center Burn Unit for the compassionate care they provided for Sonny.