WILLIAM ZELL, REV.

MISHICOT - Pastor William George Zell was born on Oct. 19, 1922, in
Mishicot, son of Pastor Edward Zell and Alice (Jindra) Zell. He departed
this life to be with the Lord Jesus on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, at the
age of 86 years, 11 months and 21 days.
By holy baptism he was graciously joined to his savior on Nov. 5, 1922,
and he was confirmed in the Christian faith at St. Peter's Lutheran Church
of Mishicot on Dec. 22, 1935.
Bill's formal education began across the street from home at the Mishicot
Grade School. In 1936 he followed the footsteps of his father and older
brother and was enrolled in the preparatory department (high school) of
Northwestern College in Watertown. He finished his pre-seminary training
and received his diploma from Northwestern in June 1944. Within two weeks
he began his studies at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Thiensville, where
the campus schedule was accelerated during the last months of World
War II.
Shortly after the war, Bill taught English and directed the band and choirs
on an interim basis at Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac. He
graduated from the seminary in 1947.
For his first post-seminary assignment, Bill returned to Northwestern
College, this time as tutor for one year. Duties for tutor Zell included
teaching, supervising the dormitory residents and coaching.
He married on June 27, 1948. For their honeymoon they drove out to Tacoma,
Wash., where Bill was ordained and installed as pastor of Faith Evangelical
Lutheran Church. Four years later, he and Marian returned to the Midwest
with their two children, where Pastor Zell began serving Emanuel Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Kolberg (Door County). In 1957, after his family had been
blessed with two more children, he accepted the Lord's call to serve at
Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minn.
In the fall of 1960, Bill returned to Watertown as professor of German at
his alma mater. He taught on the college level and, especially during the
1970s and 1980s, in the preparatory school. For a number of years Professor
Zell chaired the planning committee for several campus building projects.
His first love may have been coaching, and not simply because he enjoyed
athletics. On the football field, basketball court and out on the golf
course, Coach Zell relished his opportunities to encourage young men to
continue their studies to become pastors.
A God-given gift for administration was recognized by the church when
in 1974 Bill was called to be the first president of Northwestern
Preparatory School. In that capacity students, their parents and faculty
colleagues saw a humble man who showed them love and respect. President
Zell guided the school until his retirement in 1989. All told he had served
on the Northwestern campus for 30 of his 42 years in the ministry of the
gospel.
He retired to Mishicot and joined St. Peter's Lutheran, the congregation
his father had served as pastor for 47 years. For most of his retirement
years, Pastor Zell preached regularly at area congregations throughout
Manitowoc County. With his wife's capable assistance he also kept his
house, garage and car spotless and his yard well-groomed. This was truly
an orderly man.
William Zell is survived by his wife, and by their children. He was blessed
with 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two
sisters of Mishicot, and one sister-in-law.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Alice and Evelyn;
one brother, Pastor Edward Zell; and his in-laws John and Effie Griep and
Pastor Waldemar Zarling.
A Christian funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Peter's
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mishicot with Pastor Robert Johannes officiating.
A committal service will follow in the Mishicot Public Cemetery.
The Zell family also invites friends and relatives to a visitation today
from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home of Mishicot, or they
may call at the church on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral
service at 11 a.m.
Memorials may be directed to St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Mishicot, the
scholarship fund of Luther Preparatory School of Watertown, or according
to the donor's choice.
“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die
in the Lord from now on'” (Revelation 14:13).
Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home Mishicot
Watertown Daily Tribune October 12, 2009.