Rodney Zell

Rodney W. Zell passed away on Friday, March 25, 2022, at the Howard Good Samaritan Society.

Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at the American Lutheran Church in De Smet. Pastor Jonathan Dolan will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2022, at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in De Smet.  The service will be live-streamed via the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel Facebook page.

Burial will be at Le Sueur Cemetery in Bancroft. Pallbearers are Bill Driscoll, Murray Wilkins, Jeff Albrecht, and Chris Gilligan.

Rodney W. Zell was born on August 19, 1945, in Huron, SD, to Walter R. and Emma (Claassen) Zell along with an older brother, Keith, and younger sister, Marilynn.

He attended school in Bancroft, SD, and graduated in 1963. After graduation, he worked for custom combiners, going down to Oklahoma and working their way back to North Dakota. He also farmed, raised livestock, and worked at Zell Brothers Garage in Bancroft, SD, with his dad and his uncle Ferd Zell. In 1969, he was employed by Peschl’s Butcher & Equipment in De Smet, SD, until 1981. Rodney started Country Garage in 1981 working on tractors and vehicles. He also worked with his cousin, Veralyn Zell, in the mechanic business. Rod was known by many names: Hot Rod, Rastus, and Dynamite to name a few. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. He married Sharri L. Forbes on July 25, 1970. To this union, two sons were born, Brent W. Zell and Darin R. Zell.

Survivors include his special friend, Linda L. Geyer; children, Brent (Rebecca) Zell of Rapid City, SD, Darin (Amy) Zell of De Smet, SD; grandchildren, Mackenzie, Dylan, Cody, and Emmet Zell of De Smet, SD; sister, Marilynn Booth of Spickard, MO; sister-in-law, Barb Zell of Shakopee, MN; uncles, Harlan (Mary) Zell of Hazelwood, MO, and Verald (Phyllis) Zell of Pollock, LA; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Emma Zell; brother, Keith; brother-in-law, Larry Booth; and sister-in-law, Donna Zell.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel       www.crawfordosthus.com

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