Laura Zachow, age ninety-one, passed away August 2, 2022 at the River Valley Health & Rehabilitation Facility. All are invited to a celebration of her life at First United Methodist Church in Redwood Falls at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday August 5, 2022 at the Nelson-Hillestad Funeral home in Redwood Falls and at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will be at the Redwood Falls Cemetery. Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls.
The only child of Ray and Ellen (Nellie Mann) Davis, Laura was born during a snowstorm on November 26, 1930 in McGregor, MN. Laura and her parents lived in Tamarack, MN and Beaver Falls, MN before moving to rural Redwood Falls. Laura attended country schools at North Redwood and Crow Creek and attended high school in Redwood Falls. Laura’s first job was at the Hut Café in Redwood Falls where she earned 85 cents/hour. She continued working at several restaurants in Redwood Falls, including the Mint Café and the Jolly Mill. Laura owned her own café – Zachow’s Tin Street Café – in the 1970’s and was famous for her home-cooked meals and pies baked daily. Many special memories were made with her daughters working beside her in this venture. Laura also worked in the dietary departments of Sunwood Nursing Home and Wood Dale Nursing Home. In addition to her work outside the home, Laura was a true “partner” on the farm by milking cows and butchering chickens. While working at the Hut Café, Laura met the love of her life – Vernon Zachow. They were married on September 19, 1952 and enjoyed almost fifty-four years together. Laura and Vernon raised seven children on several farm sites in the Redwood and Renville County area before settling at Laura’s childhood home northeast of Redwood Falls. The couple eventually retired to the Redwood Falls community in 1991. Laura was an avid flower and vegetable gardener and loved “digging in the dirt.” She was a skilled card player and taught three generations of her family to play “Rummy 500.” Laura was also a self-professed “dog lover.” She delighted in the company of any dog and regarded her “grand-dogs” and grandchildren as equally precious. Laura was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Active in Mary Circle and adult Sunday School, she also volunteered regularly at funerals and other church events. Laura felt a calling to visit older church members in their homes and in the nursing homes. Laura’s gift was hospitality, and her best days were spent in her kitchen making such treats as bread, caramel rolls, strawberry jam, and applesauce. She was a day-brightener to all who knew her. Laura had a quick wit and was always positive. Laura’s final words to her family included these: “It’s great to have a fun-filled family, besides a church-going one.” Laura’s humble life exemplified her love for Christ and her family. She will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Laura is survived by her children Charles (special friend Linda) Zachow of Redwood Falls; Darlene Kopischke of St. Peter, MN; Bev (Pat) Wacek of Olivia; Ken (Jeanette) Cornell of Redwood Falls; Sandy (Bryan) Faulds of Redwood Falls; Steve Zachow of Redwood Falls; and Gail (Brian) Bielen of Sioux Falls, SD; fourteen grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. Laura was preceded in death by her husband Vernon, daughter Barb Cornell, and son-in-law Calvin Kopischke.
