Raymond Zastrow

Raymond was born April 11, 1919, to Carl (Charlie) and Elsie (Runge) Zastrow in Rapidan Township near Good Thunder. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Good Thunder. He attended school in Good Thunder until the eighth grade. He farmed with his family until 1941 when he joined the Army and served in North Africa and Sicily. He spent several years in Percy Jones Hospital. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and then married Bernice Rosin on March 28 in Vernon Center. They lived in Good Thunder and raised five children. Their children and grandchildren joined them this year to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. Raymond learned appliance repair at Mankato Vocational School and then worked at several positions in Mankato, including Truth Tool and Mankato Paper Box Company. He retired in 1984. He thoroughly enjoyed time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He kept busy doing needlepoint, working in the yard and garden, repairing things, talking about his work and watching the Minnesota Twins. Raymond was a kind and gentle man with a smile for everyone. In 2008, after living in the same house for over 60 years, he and Bernice moved to an apartment in Mountain Lake and then later to the Good Samaritan Village. Raymond is survived by his wife, Bernice; children, Mary Ann Zastrow of Rochester, Karen (Merle) Hinz of Coon Rapids, Lynette (Robert) Ewert of Bingham Lake, Carl (Susan) Zastrow of Troy, MI, and William (Margaret) Zastrow of Leslie, MO; grandchildren Joel, Mary, Micah and David. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Clarence.