Robin Neil Zernechel

Robin Neil Zernechel, age 68, of Lake Crystal died on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at home.  A visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 o’clock on Tuesday, December 28 and funeral services will be Tuesday, December 28 at 2:00 o’clock in the Woodland Hills Chapel in Mankato.  Interment will be in Woodland Hills Memorial Park.

Robin was born in Mankato, Minnesota to his loving parents Kenneth Sr. and Margery (Hanson) Zernechel on July 12, 1953.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato where he was a member until 2002.  He lived in the Mankato area all his life until moving to Lake Crystal in 2015.  

Robin graduated from Mankato High School in 1971.  He then attended Mankato Area Vo-Tech Institute, received his electrical wireman diploma and became a Journeyman Electrician.  Robin worked as an electrician for 35 years starting in 1972 with Draper Electric and in 1980 he became a proud Union member of Local #343 IBEW.  He worked all over southern and central Minnesota and spent 11 years at Honeymead.  He was forced to retired in 2007 because of his Parkinson’s disability. 

In 1975 he married Mary Roufs in LeSueur. They were blessed with three children whom he dearly loved, sons William and Scott and daughter Kelly.

Robin’s father started a snow plowing business in 1952.  Robin enthusiastically joined him in 1969 at age 16.  Later he became a partner with his parents (KM&R Snow Plowing) and then owning the business until 2019.  He felt great pride in giving the best customer service and had some of the same customers for over 30 years.  

Beginning in high school Robin enjoyed 4-wheeling with his 1951 Willy’s Jeep.  Over the years he took the Jeep and attended many trail rides and hill climbs with his family and friends.  Robin also loved Fords, he proudly owned various models of the Ford Bronco his entire life and he restored two old-style Broncos. He also loved Ford Mustangs and restoring a 1982 was sincere a highlight of his life.  Attending car shows also brought him great joy.

Even though Robin never played organized sports, he actively attended thousands of games that his children and grandchildren participated in, with many of them being on traveling teams.  In addition to attending sporting events, he did not miss a dance recital or a school concert.  He was their #1 fan.  

Robin is survived by his wife, Mary, son William (step-daughter Tianna, sons Blaine, Layton and Cole) of Rapidan, son Scott of Mapleton, daughter Kelly (Chris Smith) Nilson (daughters Emma and Abby, Chris’ son Joshua) of Lake Crystal, Aunt and Uncle Darline (Pinky) and Julius (Bud) Haes of Lincoln, Nebraska as well as many cousins.  He is also survived his mother-in-law Doloris Roufs of Arlington, sisters and brothers-in-law Romelle and Harlan Quast of Gaylord, Susan Roufs of Mankato, and Rolayne and Jerry Herrley of Shakopee, and 8 nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Kenneth Jr., father-in-law Cletus Roufs, brother-in-law Fred Roufs and many aunts and uncles.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.  Donations will be made in Robin’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation , the BSA-Twin Valley Council and the LCWM Athletic Booster Club.