Frederick Ragolt Zeien

Frederick Zeien, 85, of Beal City, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at MyMichigan Medical Center in Midland. Fred was born July 15, 1939, in Isabella County, Michigan. He was the third of eight children born to the late Edward N. and Helen P. (Hauck) Zeien (Joseph, William, Fred, Steve, Herman, Teresa, Richard, and Gerald). After graduating from Beal City High School in 1957, he married Mary Irene Rau on August 26, 1961, at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Beal City. Fred was a lifelong farmer with his brothers, Bill, Steve, and nephew, Dave Zeien. UPS employed him for 32 years. He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish and Beal City Knights of Columbus Council 3651. He enjoyed golfing, following his beloved Aggies, and serving his favorite holiday drink. Fred is survived by his wife, Mary Irene; five children, Susan (Robert) Millard of Beal City, James Zeien of Traverse City, Donald (Melissa) Zeien of Beal City, Jane (Chris) Warner of Mt. Pleasant, and Robert Zeien of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Megan (Michael) Petersen, Alyssa (Drew) Moomey, Shannon (MacKenzie) Donohue, and Kaitlyn (Matthew) Yeagley, Kelli Zeien (Saraloni Troupe), Amber (Duane) Mann, Tiandra (Aaron) VanHattum, Larissa (Adam) Fox, Erin Sowmick (Cory Mead), and Nicholas Sowmick, and Hazel Zeien and Jude Zeien; great grandchildren, Maggie and Henry Petersen, Bennett, Adalynn, and Graham Moomey, Forest Donohue, and Ariella Mann and Austin Fox; siblings, Steve (Joyce) Zeien of Beal City, Teresa (Ron) Lorenz of Beal City, and Gerald (Chris) Zeien of Mt. Pleasant; sisters in-law, Marilyn Zeien of Mt. Pleasant and Gertrude Brownlee of Sanford; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Helen Zeien; brothers, Joseph, William, Herman, and Richard Zeien; and in-laws, Harold and Edna Rau, Walt and Edna "Dolly" Rau, Stephen and Eileen Rau, Raymond and Rosalia "Sally" Rau, Rose Marie and Dick Funnell, Margaret and Dale Noble, Norman and Pat Rau, Don and Gaye Rau, and Ted Brownlee.

A Funeral Mass for Fred will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, January 24, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Father Andy Laframboise will preside. Rite of Committal will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, and it will conclude with a luncheon at the Beal City Knights of Columbus Hall. The family will receive friends in the gathering room of the church on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. with the Vigil Service beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation continues Friday one hour before Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker Church or School. Envelopes will be available at the church or at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home.

To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.