Richard Rudolph Zebe was born on November 22, 1943, to Rudolph and Marie (Hellwinckel) Zebe at the hospital in Pipestone, Minnesota. He grew up on a farm by Edgerton, Minnesota, and was a Boy Scouts leader and played basketball in school.
After his mother passed away when he was eight years old, Richard and his dad moved into Edgerton. They later moved to Fulda, Minnesota and then Adrian, Minnesota.
While living in Adrian, Richard attended school and worked at Armours in Worthington, Minnesota.
On January 16, 1966, Richard was drafted into the United States Army and served his county during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge on January 18, 1968. He then returned to Adrian and soon met Mary Kruse in July of that year.
On December 20, 1968, the couple was united in marriage at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rushmore, Minnesota. They moved to a farm south of Adrian and began their family. Richard continued to work at Armours until February 1979, when at that time their last child was born. He told Mary that as he had his boys and girls, he was only going to be a farmer now. He and Mary continued the farming operation until Friday, June 7, 2024, when Richard passed away at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 80 years, six months, and 17 days.
Richard was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. While his children were growing up, he was active with their 4-H club and was involved wherever he could help. He enjoyed camping, fishing, farming, NASCAR and his family.
He was a very kind, gentle and generous man. He didn’t mince words and his children knew if they didn’t listen right away, Richard would be ready to ask them if he had to draw them a picture. He held very strong family values and would be willing to help anyone at any time.
Richard is lovingly survived by his wife, Mary; four children, Amy (Terry) VandenBosch of Pipestone, Mark (Ceta) Zebe of Adrian, Sara (Andy) Henning of Adrian, and Paul (Sarah) Zebe of Adrian; 14 grandchildren, Jenny (Logan) Amundson, Rodney (Casey) VandenBosch, Diego (Rhilynn) Zebe, Gabriela (Charlie) Schucknet, Brisa Zebe (Noah Beyer), Jayden Zebe, Scott Zebe, Brylee Zebe, Austin Henning (Mackenzie Jurrens), Jacob Henning (Claire Hoffman), Whitney Henning, Daphne Zebe, Gage Zebe, and Tatum Zebe; four great-grandchildren, Octaevia Amundson, Lydia Amundson, Winsley Zebe, and Olivyann Zebe; and family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his two stillborn children; a great-granddaughter, Wrenlee Anne VandenBosch; his parents, Rudolph and Marie Zebe; and an infant brother, Ricky Zebe.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Burial with military honors followed at Adrian Cemetery in Adrian.
Arrangements were under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. Memorials may be directed to the Adrian American Legion or St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne.
To view Richard’s life history or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.