Don C. Zink

Don passed into the arms of his Lord on Tuesday June 9, 2026 at the age of 91. He was surrounded by the love of his family, daughter Dawn and son David. He was born on January 27 ,1935 at Saint Anne's Maternity Hospital La Crosse, Wisconsin to Marie Zink. He married the love of his life Darlene Stilwell on September 26, 1964 in Stoddard at St Matthew's Lutheran Church. He and Darlene lived in the same house their entire married life, raised their daughter Dawn and Son David there and had many happy memories in that house.

Don worked many jobs as a young man including farming, building barns and tobacco sheds, driving can milk truck, he worked for Williams construction, Steiger’s construction and Tim Munyon. He was a soft-hearted man and would help anyone. He loved the outdoors and hunting, trapping and fishing, he passed his love of the outdoors to his children.

Don was proud of his children Dawn and David. When Dawn graduated from Nursing school, he was very proud of her and he was very proud of David for his 18 years of service on the fire department. Dad was raised by his grandmother and he always had a strong link to family and the land; he spent his younger years living on the family farm outside to Stoddard.

Don is survived by his daughter, Dawn (Dean) Nerison and their children Allen (Caitlian) Nerison, April Nerison and great grandson, Dominic Nerison (son of Allen), son David (Deb) Zink and their children Allison Zink, Cody Zink, great granddaughter Ava Zink and great grandson Thatcher Stopla (children of Allison), niece Deb (John) Jones and their children Trisha, Elizabeth, Katherine, Tommy, Christine and Jared and great nephews Axten and Waylon; sister-in-law Joyce Stilwell and Neice Verona Lachman and her family

He is proceeded in death by his wife Darlene on March 14, 2026; mother, Marie and sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Tilmer Olson, father and mother in-law, George and Elsie Stilwell, sister-in-law and brother in-law, Betty Jane and Irvin Goplin, brothers-in-law, Gerald and Harlan Stilwell.

The family want to give a heartfelt Thank you to all the Staff of Norseland Nursing and St. Croix Hospice Staff. May God keep you all wrapped in his loving arms.

Memorial services for Don and Darlene will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday June 14, 2026 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Stoddard with a visitation from 1 p.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Stoddard Cemetery. The Seland Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com.