Emil Francis Zahasky was born February 7, 1918 in Chickasaw County, Iowa.  He graduated from Rudolum High School in 1936.  He entered St Marys School of Nursing and graduated in 1940.  For a year, he did private duty nursing at St Marys Hospital.

In May, 1942 he joined the U.S. Army.  He went to Officer's Training School and received his Commission attached to a medical corp.

On April 7, 1943, he married Mary Ann Henderson at St Marys Hospital Chapel.  She was also a registered nurse.  They were the first couple to be married in the chapel.

After serving four years in the Army, he returned to Rochester, Minnesota and worked the next 40 years for the Mayo Clinic.

In 1950, he bought the Rochester Mattress Company.  He sold this store in 1952 and bought a farm.  He operated the farm in addition to working full time at the Mayo Clinic.  Emil enjoyed wood-working, especially making furniture and clocks.

He was a long time member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, ushering at Mass for over 30 years.  He was a member of St Marys Retirement Club and Nursing Alumni group as well as a volunteer for the Auxiliary at St Marys Hospital for 15 years.  He was also a long time member of the Elks Club.

Survivors include three sons; Patrick (Ann) of Georgetown, Texas, Paul (Susan) of Rochester, Minnesota, James (Cheri) of Black River Falls, Wisconsin and three daughters; Katherine Zahasky of Rochester, Minnesota, Barbara (Robert Hogancamp) Zahasky and Mary Beth Zahasky of St. Paul, Minnesota.  He is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons.  He has two sisters Eleanor Lukes of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Majella Koudelka of New Hampton, Iowa.  Two brothers, one sister and his parents preceded him in death.

Special thanks to the staff at Madonna Towers and Mayo Clinic Hospice.  We deeply appreciate nurses Helen Eisenmenger, Jeanne Townsend and Cheryl Basballe and volunteers Jonathan, Lois, Bruce and Carolyn.

The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Friday, June 17, 2011 with the Rev. Timothy T. Reker officiating.  Burial will be Calvary Cemetery.  Visitation will occur on Thursday, June 16, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the funeral on Friday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Friday.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements with online condolences welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com