Paul A. Zins

The world lost a great man in the early morning of July 9,2025. Surrounded by his family, Paul Arnold Zins, passed away peacefully after 87 full years of life. He was born and raised in the town of Nicollet, before the war drafted the local doctors and dentists away from the bustling town permanently. His vast collection of used nuts, bolts, nails and screws, among other "collectible" items in his shop(s), let you know he was both a child of the depression and a family that owned a hardware and implement store. Having access to all that used equipment allowed him to develop his passion for anything with wheels and motors including go-carts, cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, trucks, tractors and eventually airplanes. Born on December 18, 1937, he was the oldest son of Edward Zins and Leona Boettger with 4 younger brothers and two sisters.
In 1956, the "town" kid graduated from Nicollet High School where he met the love of his life, DonnaJean Wenner. He has alphabetical seating to thank for placing him directly behind the petite "farm" girl who would later become his wife despite their vast difference in height and culture. This union gained him 7 more Wenner brothers and another sister,
Paul attended one semester of college where he learned to type, which was just enough training to land him a job as a clerk in the army. Luck was with him again as he served between any major conflicts which kept him stateside at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. He frequently drove over 700 miles each way just to see that cute farm girl on the weekend. Paul and Donna got married in 1959 and raised 5 children in Nicollet, the town he loved and lived in his whole life.
Paul became a partner in the family business, Zins Hardware and Implement, with his uncle George after the tragic passing of his father in a car accident in 1967. He loved talking to people and was a natural salesman. His guiding principle of always offering prices that were fair to both the customer and the business led to much of that success. The business grew and expanded as did his standing in the community. He took over as Mayor of Nicollet after the loss of his father and proudly served the community for many years, not only on the city council, but also by being a member of the local Lions club, Conservation Club, serving as a volunteer fireman, church trustee, and eventually serving on the Nicollet State Bank board. When asked for the secret to his success he would say "I used to think I was smart but now I realize I was just lucky."
In the early 70's Paul became a pilot and flying became a passion. He bought two planes eventually owning a Cessna 182. He flew all over the U.S. including a favorite trip to Alaska. He was proud that 5 of his offspring have continued in his footsteps by becoming pilots.
In his retirement Paul found joy in woodworking and collecting tools. You could still find him driving around town in his souped-up John Deere Gator, mowing lawn and plowing snow in an oversized tractor, or talking smart and sharing stories with his many friends in the office he maintained at the shop, the Nicollet Mart, Lake Crystal Cafe or from his easy chair in the living room.
Later in life, he became a slightly obsessive collector of hay wagons to store and dry a growing pile of wood to heat his house making sure his bride would never get cold long after he was gone. He was known to buy old hay wagons from farm groves and utilize the expert mechanics at his former repair shop to get them operational, much to the chagrin of his sons who were trying to run a business.
Paul was preceded in death by his brother, David Zins; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gene (Betty) Wenner, Don (Ruth) Wenner, Mert Wenner, Skip (Margaret) Wenner, Marianne (Glen) Sohre, Marlene Hopp Wenner, Dot Wenner, and Marlys Meurer Wenner.
Paul is survived by his wife, Donna Wenner Zins; siblings, Tom (Mary C.) Zins, Julianne (John) Allerson, Susan (Steve) Howell, Phillip (Mary P) Zins and Tim Zins; brothers and sisters-in-law, Margaret Wenner, Cletus Wenner, Kenny (Phyllis) Wenner, and Wendell Wenner; children, Paul Michael (Chris) Zins, Lori (Bruce Bjorklund), Amy (David) Orcutt, Wendy Zins (Mark Hansen), and Kurt (Lori) Zins; as well as grandchildren, Kendra (Matt Tisdale), Gavin (Kylie), Carter, and Parker Bjorklund, Elly (Caleb) Curran, Harry, Joseph, Claire and Sam Orcutt, Jack (Bridgette), Ben Zins, and recently added great grandson Leander (Andy) Zins.
Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Nicollet. Monsignor Douglas Grams will celebrate the Mass and burial will follow in St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery in Nicollet.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Nicollet. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.
To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: www.mvfh.org
Minnesota Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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