Gaylen Odell Zavadil, 73, died February 4, 2011 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, 10 days after having heart surgery.
Gaylen was born January 21, 1938 in Starbuck to Edwin and Sylvia (Malmberg) Zavadil. His father died when Gaylen was 13, so he started helping on the farm as a young man. He attended grade school at District #13 and graduated from Central High School in Alexandria in 1956. He also served in the Minnesota National Guard for six years.
Gaylen started his work career at O’Hotto Supply from 1955-1956 and then at Alexandria Concrete from 1957-1986 as the office manager. In 1987 he went to work for American Business Forms in Glenwood, retiring in 2001. The following years he worked for area farmers doing what he enjoyed most – driving tractors. Gaylen enjoyed traveling and visited Bermuda, Egypt, the Czech Republic, Jamaica and also various places in the United States. He liked going on bus tours and meeting new friends.
Gaylen married Estella (Brosh) at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in 1966 and they lived on the home farm. In 1996 they moved to their lake home in Hoffman and then moved back to the farm in 2003.
He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 44-plus years, Estella; three children, Michael (Laura) Zavadil of Rockford, Michigan, Emmy (Joe) Foster of Rosemount, and Monty (Mari) Zavadil of White Bear Lake. He treasured his eight grandchildren, Zachary, Matthew and Samantha Zavadil, Mitchell and Jake Foster, and Alvin, Abigail and Adeline Zavadil. He is also survived by two brothers, Gary (Carol) Zavadil of Alexandria and the Rev. Leon (Peggy) Zavadil of Jamestown, ND; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Daryl; niece, Shari; and nephew, Kelly.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, February 9 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Rev. Mark Astrup and the Rev. Leon Zavadil officiating. Music was provided by Gary Gylsen. Interment was at Independent Bohemian Cemetery with Randy Runge, Keith Brosh, Donnie Trousil, Warren Engelbrecht, Gary Lofquist and Doug Kuiper serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Gaylen’s eight grandchildren, Mitchell Foster, Jake Foster, Alvin Zavadil, Zachary Zavadil, Abigail Zavadil, Matthew Zavadil, Adeline Zavadil and Samantha Zavadil.
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