Laura Jean Zenk, age 61, of Emmons, MN, passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at the Lake Mills Care Center after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Laura Zenk

Visitation for Laura will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Schott Funeral Homes, Mittelstadt Chapel, 902 E. Main St. Lake Mills, IA 50450, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral services for Laura will be held at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Due to the expected attendance, the service will be hosted at Emmons Lutheran Church, 490 Pearl St. Emmons, MN 56029, with Pastor Glenn Smith from Lime Creek Synod Church officiating.

Interment will follow the service at Lime Creek Synod Cemetery, rural Lake Mills, IA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Freeborn County Humane Society.

Laura Jean (Olson) was born on June 2, 1962 in Albert Lea, MN to parents Clyde and Bernice (Dymbe) Olson. She was a lifetime member of Lime Creek Synod Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. She grew up in Emmons, and graduated from Emmons High School in 1981. In her early years, she worked at Farmers Seed and Nursery, where she would meet her future husband.

On June 22, 1985, she was united in marriage to James “Jim” Zenk at the Lime Creek Synod Church. The couple spent 38 wonderful years together.

Laura worked for over 40 years at Security Bank in Emmons, MN, retiring in 2023. She also worked Saturdays at the Albert Lea Seedhouse for 40 years. She was a First Responder for the Emmons Fire Department for 7 years. Together, Laura and Jim enjoyed going on camping trips to the North Shore. She also enjoyed shopping, growing flowers and gardening, having coffee with friends and family, and caring for her cats and dogs. You would never find Laura having a bad day. Her one-of-a-kind smile and giggle could light up any room! Laura found the good in every situation – even finding light through her dark days of battling cancer.

She is preceded in death by both parents, Clyde and Bernice Olson.

Laura leaves behind her husband, Jim Zenk; brother, Michael Olson; father and mother in-law, Irvin and Mary Zenk; brother in-law, Steve (Kim) Zenk; sister in-law, Cindy (Dan) Bodensteiner; lifelong friend, Miriam Ring; as well as several extended relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank the caregivers, medical providers and St. Croix Hospice for their care and compassion given to Laura. Also, a special thanks to the Emmons Volunteer Fire Department and A.B.A.T.E. Flatlanders Chapter for their continued care and support.

Blessed be her memory!