Leon Henry Zachman

1940 - 2024

Leon H. Zachman, age 84, of Annandale, formerly of St. Michael, died Sunday, December 29, 2024, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Annandale with Fr. Kevin Magner as Celebrant. Visitation held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale with a rosary led by the Knight's of Columbus at 4:00 p.m. Additional visitation one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Burial at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery, St. Michael. Memorials are preferred to St. Ignatius or for Masses.

Leon Henry Zachman was born April 30, 1940, to Nick and Lorena (Schmitz) Zachman at the family farmhouse near St. Michael, Minnesota. He attended parochial grade school and high school at St. Michael Catholic Church, graduating with the Class of 1958 from St. Michael Catholic High School. Leon worked for Land O' Lakes from 1959-1971, then for Abbott Labs until 1987, then went back to working for Land O' Lakes until retiring on his 58th birthday in 1998.

In 1961, Leon got married to Marlene Dahlheimer and they had six children, two boys and four girls. They lived on a 30-acre hobby farm that was part of Nick Zachman's home place. The Zachman's raised their own meat and dairy with help from family, butchering over 800 chickens each year. They also had a large garden. From 1971-1996, Leon also planted over 6,000 trees. In addition to farming, Leon enjoyed playing softball with the Knight's of Columbus and traveling to Medora and the Badlands of North Dakota.

In 2000, the farm was sold; 8 acres to Leon's son, James and 22 acres to Alleluia Lutheran Church. Leon moved to a 20-acre hobby farm in French Lake Township near Annandale where he planted more trees and raised more animals including pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys, sheep, cats, dogs, and donkeys. His grandkids loved the farm. In recent years, as Leon's health began to decline, he moved into town in Annandale.

Leon was an active member at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Annandale and former member at St. Michael's Catholic Church in St. Michael. He was in the Knights of Columbus at both parishes. Leon also served his community in St. Michael as a volunteer firefighter for many years.

Leon is survived by their children, Jerry (Kathy) of Dell Rapids, SD, Joanie (George) Huebner of Oak Grove, Jim (Karen) of St. Michael, Julie (Earl) Fietek of Dalton, Jennifer (Chuck) Daleiden of Otsego, and Jessica (Peter) Boevers of Chanhassen; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings, Geraldine (Douglas) Feidler of Elk River, Harlan (Janet) Zachman of Rice, and Shirley Holtan-Throndset (Jerry) of Burnsville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandchild, Matthew; sister, Mary Scherber; brothers-in-law, Rich Scherber and Orin Holtan.

Nick and Jared Zachman, Jacob Fietek, Lucas and Cole Daleiden, and Joshua Boevers served as casket bearers for the service. Music provided by St. Ignatius Music Ministry. Arrangements were entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.

Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.