William Zabel obituary

William “Bill” Howard Zabel, 83, of Lake City and formerly of Rochester, passed away unexpectantly on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Bismark, N.D. Bill was born on September 5, 1940, in Rochester, to Howard and Evelyn (Larsen) Zabel. He attended school in Plainview, graduating from Plainview High School in 1958. He went on to attend the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1962, and received his Graduate School of Banking Degree at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Bill married Maurita Cravath and they were later divorced. On July 19, 2003, he married Carol J. Furst Atkinson. They lived in Rochester and later in Lake City.
After graduating from the U of M Bill returned to his hometown and pursed community banking and a parallel career in the US Army Reserve. His military service lasted 23 years and he retired as a Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Officer (G5) with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was elected President of Peoples State Bank of Plainview in 1988 and later assumed the responsibilities of Chairman/CEO/President of both the bank and WRZ Bancshares Inc., the bank holding company. He retired as President in 2006 but has maintained his interest in the bank and holding company as Chairman and CEO. Bill completed 50 years of banking service on April 1, 2013.
Bill was active in the Minnesota Bankers Association serving on the Board of Directors and as President of the Minnesota Bankers Enterprise Network (MBEN). He has served various businesses, communities, churches and social organizations such as Minnesota Star City and the Small Business Administration.
Bill and his wife Carol lived in Lake City and have enjoyed traveling the past few years. They have traveled to all 50 states and such places as Argentina, Russia, and Antarctica. He also enjoyed spending time golfing. Bill was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Lake City.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Carol Atkinson-Zabel of Lake City; children, Jane Elizabeth (Steve) Talus of Castle Pines, Colo., Jennifer Grace (Christopher) Paulson of Windsor, Colo., Stephanie (Phil) Holland of New London, Minn., and Jeff (Kate) Atkinson of Lake City; seven grandchildren, William and Summer Paulson, Cole Talus, Alayna, Glenn, and Thomas Atkinson, and Brynn Holland. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Susan, and brother-in-law, Michael Van Zele.
A funeral service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 5, at First Lutheran Church in Lake City with Pastor Kary Jonas officiating. Friends and family may visit from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the church. Military Rites will follow the service at the church followed by dessert and coffee served in the church gathering area. The burial will be at a later date.
Arrangements by Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel.  Guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.