Hugh W. Zens, 77, of Zell, SD, passed away Monday, May 12, 2008 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Zell. Father Christopher Hughes and Father Gary DeRouchey will celebrate the mass. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery with full military rites. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1-8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield, SD. The casket will not be open at the church. The family prefers memorials directed to St. Mary's Cemetery in Zell. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Hugh was born April 1, 1931 in Redfield to Hugo and Eleanora (Oligmueller) Zens. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Zell and graduated from Redfield High School in 1949. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1953 and served in Fort Knox, Kentucky and overseas in Germany. He was a Chaplain's Assistant before being discharged in 1955. Hugh married Genevieve "Gen" Maher on August 3, 1954. He farmed in the Zell area until his death.

Hugh was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church,Redfield Knights of Columbus Council # 2703, Paul A. Schleher VFW Post #2755 and Clay Kiser American Legion Post #92.

He enjoyed, with his family and friends, hunting, fishing, playing cards and driving around the countryside visiting with his neighbors. He was well known for his butchering skills and making many different sausages, jerky and meats and canning garden produce.

Hugh is survived by his wife Gen of Zell; his children: Gwen (Joe) Jandel of Redfield; Armon (Ranee) Zens of Zell; Susan (Kevin) Flottmeyer of Pierre, SD; Rose (Timothy) Taylor of Sweetwater, TX; Nora (Randy) Warne of Onida, SD; Bret (Lisa) Zens of Cozad, NE; Henry (Sherelle) Zens of Ashton, SD; Kristina (Brad) Jessen of Redfield; Nissa (Don Frauendienst) Friese of Clara City, MN; Chanda (Shawn) Boesl of Warner, SD; and Gena (David) Masat of Redfield. He is also survived by thirty-three grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, his sister Mary Ann (Burton) Baloun of Highmore, SD and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Edmund and Eugene and an infant son Joseph.