Donald K. Zerbst

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Donald K. Zerbst, 81, of Erwin Township, died peacefully Sunday evening, Nov. 20, 2016, at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community in Ironwood.

He was born Oct. 18, 1935, in Houghton, son of the late Fred and Ida (Kangas) Zerbst. His work history included working on ore ships on Lake Superior, for the Swift Company, Sanders Trucking and Superior American Homes, and the Gogebic County Road Commission, retiring from there in 1997. He also managed the Colonial Skateland in Ironwood for many years.

He was an avid Detroit Red Wings fan, having tried out for the team in the 1950s. He always said he never stood a chance against the Canadian skaters. He had a lifelong love of hockey, playing for many Gogebic Range teams, and was well known for his slap shot on the ice. Don also coached youth hockey for many years and followed the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Tigers. He took great pride in the upkeep of his large lawn in Erwin Township.

Don absolutely loved his little pride and joy, his little great-granddaughter, Abby Ruth Bennetts. She always put a big smile on his face.

On Feb. 22, 1957, he was married to the former Ruth Johnson in Ironwood.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth, of 59 years; a daughter, Donna (Michael) Wiemeri; son, Brian Zerbst; granddaughter, Carolyn (Brian) Bennetts; and great-granddaughter, Abby Bennetts, all of Ironwood; a brother, Michael Zerbst, Houghton; brothers- and-sisters-in-law, Beth Zerbst, Houghton, Robert (Billie) Johnson, Lakewood, Wash., Clarence (Sheila) Johnson, Butler, Ill., Helen (Bernie) Finco, Ironwood, Edna (Raymond) Karvonen, Bonifay, Fla., and Joyce Frierdich, Racine, Wis .; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Donald was preceded in death by 11 siblings, Katherine Sauvala, Florence Helms, Shirley Monette Wuoti, Helen Bowden, and Frederick, John, Robert, Raymond, Dennis, James and David Zerbst .; and two brothers-in-law, Roy Johnson and John Frierdich.

Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial gathering will be held Friday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. until noon, with a time for sharing of memories at 11:30 a.m., at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood.

Private inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Donald's obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to his family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.

Don's family would like to thank the staff at Westgate for their wonderful care and dedication for the past three and a half years.