1916
Keith
2007
Keith Zarling
December 2, 1916 — February 1, 2007
Keith Zarling, 90, Battle Lake, MN and McAllen, TX, formerly Breckenridge, MN, died February 1, 2007 surrounded by his family at the Rio Grande Regional Hospital, McAllen, Texas after a brief illness.
His funeral will be held Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 2:00 PM at Breckenridge Lutheran Church, Breckenridge, MN with Pastor George Dahl and Pastor Mark Manning officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 7, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, MN. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Thursday.
Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Breckenridge.
Keithel August Zarling was born December 2, 1916 on a farm north of Brushvale, MN to Carl and Effie (Manley) Zarling. He graduated from Breckenridge High School and attended North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND taking commercial courses in bookkeeping, typing and shorthand. This was during the years of the Great Depression. The cost to go to Moorhead State University was $400 - $500 per year which people did not have. Everyone was looking for work. In the early years, Keith had many diversified jobs. A former Sunday school teacher from the Methodist Church that Keith attended hired him to work part time in his office at the court house. He later went to work for the Outlaw Store as a clerk for $10.00 for a 60 hour work week. He drove semi truck, worked construction and was a street worker in Breckenridge under the WPA. He worked for the Wahpeton Liquor Company and later for the Wilkin Hotel/Bar as a bartender earning $75 per month with one day per week off. In 1940 the war clouds of WWII were gathering. Although Keith had a low draft number, he was eager to enlist. He made a trip to Fort Snelling as a candidate. After being there a week, he was given a medical rejection sheet. The military doctors told him he would be a "young man in an old body" indicating he would not live a long life! In 1940 Keith hired on with the Great Northern Railroad and found his career working as a conductor and/or brakeman. He worked until his 62nd birthday, retiring on December 2, 1978. During his railroad years, he developed a great camaraderie with his fellow rails. He was active in the United Transportation Union, and with numerous other Railroad organizations, continuing to remain active with "Relaxed Rails" in Breckenridge and McAllen, Texas up until his death. He loved to reminisce and tell stores of his days on the railroad. He had an unbelievable memory for detail and a great sense of humor. On August 21, 1945, Keith married Frances Levine Thorpe at Larimore, ND; three daughters were born to this union. Keith and Frances first lived in an apartment in Park Addition in Breckenridge and then purchased a home on the south side. They lived in this home until retirement and then began spending full summers at their home on Otter Tail Lake. In 1977, Keith and Frances spent two weeks in McAllen, Texas to "practice" retirement. Beginning in 1978, they spent every winter at Paradise Park in McAllen. Keith was a key player in developing this retirement park and served several years on the Board of Directors as well as being the Park's President. Keith had a strong sense of loyalty, integrity and community and believed in a "handshake to seal the deal." He loved his family, politics, and a good debate. He was a member at Breckenridge Lutheran Church, lifelong member of the Eagles, a member of the Elks for 34 years, and a continuous member of the United Transportation Union for over 66 years and the Mayor of Breckenridge in the 1960's and 1970's. Keith passed away, surrounded by his family, at the Rio Grande Regional Hospital, McAllen Texas, February 1, 2007, after a brief illness.
Keith is survived by: His wife of 61 years: Frances Zarling, Battle Lake, MN and McAllen, TX; His daughters: Sharon Knowlton, Colorado Springs, CO; Barbara Edner, Moorhead, MN; Carole Zarling (Paul Vassallo), Fergus Falls, MN; His brother: Carl Zarling Jr., Breckenridge, MN; His grandchildren: Charles Edner, Jr. and Janelle Edner,
Moorhead, MN; Allison Knowlton, Morocco; and Zachary Flietstra, Fergus Falls, MN; His great-grandchild: Brendan Edner, Moorhead, MN
He was preceded in death by:His parents: Carl August and Effie Zarling; His brother: Vernon Zarling; His sons-in-law: Doyal Decker and Charles Edner
Pallbearers will be Charles Edner, Jr., Janelle Edner, Allison Knowlton, Zach Flietstra, Brendan Edner and Paul Vassallo
Honorary Pallbearers will be the Railroad Retirees and all who called Keith friend.
His funeral will be held Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 2:00 PM at Breckenridge Lutheran Church, Breckenridge, MN with Pastor George Dahl and Pastor Mark Manning officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 7, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, MN. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Thursday.
Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Breckenridge.
Keithel August Zarling was born December 2, 1916 on a farm north of Brushvale, MN to Carl and Effie (Manley) Zarling. He graduated from Breckenridge High School and attended North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND taking commercial courses in bookkeeping, typing and shorthand. This was during the years of the Great Depression. The cost to go to Moorhead State University was $400 - $500 per year which people did not have. Everyone was looking for work. In the early years, Keith had many diversified jobs. A former Sunday school teacher from the Methodist Church that Keith attended hired him to work part time in his office at the court house. He later went to work for the Outlaw Store as a clerk for $10.00 for a 60 hour work week. He drove semi truck, worked construction and was a street worker in Breckenridge under the WPA. He worked for the Wahpeton Liquor Company and later for the Wilkin Hotel/Bar as a bartender earning $75 per month with one day per week off. In 1940 the war clouds of WWII were gathering. Although Keith had a low draft number, he was eager to enlist. He made a trip to Fort Snelling as a candidate. After being there a week, he was given a medical rejection sheet. The military doctors told him he would be a "young man in an old body" indicating he would not live a long life! In 1940 Keith hired on with the Great Northern Railroad and found his career working as a conductor and/or brakeman. He worked until his 62nd birthday, retiring on December 2, 1978. During his railroad years, he developed a great camaraderie with his fellow rails. He was active in the United Transportation Union, and with numerous other Railroad organizations, continuing to remain active with "Relaxed Rails" in Breckenridge and McAllen, Texas up until his death. He loved to reminisce and tell stores of his days on the railroad. He had an unbelievable memory for detail and a great sense of humor. On August 21, 1945, Keith married Frances Levine Thorpe at Larimore, ND; three daughters were born to this union. Keith and Frances first lived in an apartment in Park Addition in Breckenridge and then purchased a home on the south side. They lived in this home until retirement and then began spending full summers at their home on Otter Tail Lake. In 1977, Keith and Frances spent two weeks in McAllen, Texas to "practice" retirement. Beginning in 1978, they spent every winter at Paradise Park in McAllen. Keith was a key player in developing this retirement park and served several years on the Board of Directors as well as being the Park's President. Keith had a strong sense of loyalty, integrity and community and believed in a "handshake to seal the deal." He loved his family, politics, and a good debate. He was a member at Breckenridge Lutheran Church, lifelong member of the Eagles, a member of the Elks for 34 years, and a continuous member of the United Transportation Union for over 66 years and the Mayor of Breckenridge in the 1960's and 1970's. Keith passed away, surrounded by his family, at the Rio Grande Regional Hospital, McAllen Texas, February 1, 2007, after a brief illness.
Keith is survived by: His wife of 61 years: Frances Zarling, Battle Lake, MN and McAllen, TX; His daughters: Sharon Knowlton, Colorado Springs, CO; Barbara Edner, Moorhead, MN; Carole Zarling (Paul Vassallo), Fergus Falls, MN; His brother: Carl Zarling Jr., Breckenridge, MN; His grandchildren: Charles Edner, Jr. and Janelle Edner,
Moorhead, MN; Allison Knowlton, Morocco; and Zachary Flietstra, Fergus Falls, MN; His great-grandchild: Brendan Edner, Moorhead, MN
He was preceded in death by:His parents: Carl August and Effie Zarling; His brother: Vernon Zarling; His sons-in-law: Doyal Decker and Charles Edner
Pallbearers will be Charles Edner, Jr., Janelle Edner, Allison Knowlton, Zach Flietstra, Brendan Edner and Paul Vassallo
Honorary Pallbearers will be the Railroad Retirees and all who called Keith friend.
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