Brenda Zinnel

Brenda Elizabeth Zinnel was born on October 5, 1956, in Sibley, Iowa, to Ralph and Josie Wiertsema. She grew up on a farm eight miles from Sibley and four miles from Little Rock, where the family raised chickens, cows, and pigs. That location gave her two beloved communities: she attended school in Sibley and went to church in Little Rock. Her first years of school were spent in a one-room country schoolhouse near the farm, and she graduated from Sibley High School in May 1974.

After high school, Brenda began college with an interest in music and psychology, but soon chose to enter the workforce. Years later, she returned to school and proudly earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Technology in May 1989. Brenda married David Zinnel in 1979, and together they raised four daughters, living in various places — primarily Minnesota and Arizona — before later divorcing.

Brenda had a wanderer’s spirit, making homes in many states and finding joy in each new horizon — Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, and Texas. Yet she always found her way back to the Pipestone area, where she spent the last decade of her life. Wherever she went, she immersed herself in a variety of work, reflecting her curiosity, adaptability, and love of new experiences. Over the years she worked in offices, food service, factories, and even dealt blackjack, with employers including Pipestone Systems, Bayliner, Royal River Casino, Lange’s Café, and Suzlon. For the past decade she worked alongside her son-in-law at Pottratz Pumping & Hauling Solutions, sitting in a pump tractor — a job that perfectly suited her. There she could read, do puzzle books, chat with her girls, and even take naps between loads, enjoying the simple pleasures she loved most.

Her love of adventure shaped a life rich with experiences and stories, and she became a master storyteller herself. The way she strung words together could make anyone laugh, and she was known for her colorful catch-phrases. Some of her happiest moments were spent around a campfire telling stories, singing songs, and playing the guitar, embracing her inner hippie spirit. She loved traveling anywhere and in any way she could and never passed up a chance to see something new. As a child she adored riding horses and seized every opportunity to ride as she grew up — including one last special ride on Mackinac Island with her girls just a few years ago.

Brenda’s musical talent was remarkable; she could write songs, play guitar and piano, sing beautifully, and, as many would attest, her dance moves were out of this world. She often got a “hankerin’” for simple pleasures — popcorn balls, Red Lobster, chocolate malts, or whatever struck her fancy at that moment. Her smile and laughter were contagious, and she was a gifted listener and a natural mediator whenever “kerfuffles” arose.

Kindhearted and welcoming, Brenda drew people in with her open spirit. She loved nothing more than being surrounded by family, watching the kids play while the adults “kibitzed.” She visited her daughters’ homes whenever she could, and especially loved spending time at her daughter’s farmhouse, enjoying the outdoors, helping with gardening and canning, and watching the birds and other animals. It became her home away from home — a place where she could rest after hospital stays or simply take a staycation while Jen and her family were away.

Her walk through life had seasons of closeness and seasons of distance, yet her love for Jesus endured. She remained a faithful servant at heart, and her favorite saying was “let go and let God.” In the end, she did just that, resting in His perfect peace.

Brenda is survived by her daughters, Jen (Nathan) Pottratz of Holland, MN, Lacey (Brad) Hall of Gilbert, AZ, Brandy (Luke) Miller of Melrose, MN and Reva (Chris) Zwicky of Lakeside, AZ; 17 grandchildren, Trey, Dalton (Tatum), Carter, Keera, Zoey, Joie, Peyton, Tanner, Emma, Lilyauna, Brygs, Rylan, Brooklynn, Ayden, Sawyer, and Layla; 3 great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Michael, Thomas; her siblings, Gerald (Karen) Wiertsema of Ida Grove, IA, Verlyn (Bobbie) Wiertsema of Justin, TX, Vernette Wiertsema of Worthington, MN, and Janice Schilling of Johnstown, CO; Brenda is also lovingly remembered by others, who were not family by blood but family by heart; Jill DeKam, the extended Pottratz family, Kristin Henson and her girls, Suellen, Kassandra, Shawna, and Chelsie. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Josie Wiertsema; and two brothers, Ronald Wiertsema and Donald Schilling.