George Richard Zender

George Richard Zender, 83, of Venice, FL and Battle Lake, MN, died peacefully on Friday, January 29, 2016, at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital, with his wife Phyllis Jean (Strand) Zender and children at his side.

Born February 22, 1932, to Albert and Catherine (Keenan) Zender in Tracy, MN, George graduated from Tracy High School in 1950. George married Phyllis, his hometown sweetheart, and she and that strong willed German/Irishman and full-blood Norwegian went on to raise eight children.

George graduated from Tracy High School and the next began a career and life-long passion of working in the soft drink business. George first worked for his father at the 7UP bottling company in Tracy. In 1962, George and Phyllis moved to Fergus Falls, MN where George pursued his dream of owning his own soft drink company. Starting with the 7UP brand, George eventually purchased the area Coca-Cola franchise and grew Coca-Cola Bottling Fergus Falls, Inc. into a multi-brand soft drink company distributing products throughout west-central and north-western Minnesota. The Coca-Cola brand was always the "Real Thing" in George's eye, and was the pride of his company. The Coca-Cola label was strongly present in the Fergus Falls area, and for decades, the familiar red and white colors of the brand were prominent at local parades, in area gymnasiums, and across other community events and attractions. Generations of Fergus Falls youth got their start working at the "Coke Plant", and George and Phyllis were strong and gracious supporters of area sporting events, teams and for community projects. After selling the company in 1999, George and Phyllis retired, and split their time between their lake home on West Battle Lake and Venice, Florida.

George was active in the community and the soft drink industry. He was an early and longstanding member of Fergus Falls Ducks Unlimited, was a volunteer firefighter, and served on the Board of the Minnesota Bottlers Association. In 1977, George and Phyllis, along with their friends Gary and Sharon Spies, started Mabel Murphy's, a staple of the community yet.

Golf, the outdoors, and hunting, occupied a special place in George's heart, and are the source of countless memories. Ever present on the links, George cherished his time golfing at Balmoral, Pebble Lake, and Venice Country Club. Many stories have been made and shared, and will be remembered, across his family and friends of deer hunting at LaSalle Camp, fishing at the Northwest Angle, adventuring and grouse hunting at Long Lost Lake, and chasing waterfowl across Minnesota and North Dakota. Truly a lake person, summers on West Battle Lake were special to George, Phyllis and their family. Warm-summer days on the beach, water skiing behind the famed speed boat "Mellow Yellow", his ever present swim in the lake at the end of the day, and tall tales on the deck filled wondrous, family filled weekends. Family was central to George, and he was devoted to all. From his eldest child to most recent great-grandchild, Papa was the foundation of all, and had a special and cherished place in each of their lives. His passions of hunting, the outdoors, and lake life carry on strong in George's children, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Everyone that knew George, loved and respected him. A kind and generous person, George was always willing to lend a hand. He will be truly missed, and will be remembered by all with A Coke and a Smile.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Zender; seven children, Rebecca (Steve) Ogaard, David Zender, Catherine (Mark) Welle, Mary (Mark) Johnson, Martha Zender, Joseph (Emily) Zender, and Nancy (Kent) Mattson; his 29 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Colette (Tom) Norman. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Albert Zender Jr.; sister, Julia; son, Michael; grandson, David Johnson, and great-granddaughters, Ayana and Ayla Alt.

Memorials are preferred to St. Judes Children’s Hospital or Boys Town in lieu of flowers.

Visitation: Open Casket Visitation from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday February 7, 2016, at the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. and Closed Casket Visitation one hour prior to the service at the church
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 8, 2016, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Father Alan Wielinski, Deacon Chuck Kampa and Father Bill Gamber
Interment: St. Otto’s Catholic Cemetery in Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls