Donald Eugene Zahn

Major Donald Eugene Zahn 94 was born October 15th, 1920, and joined his loving wife Norma in heaven on May 10th, 2015. Memorial Services will be conducted Saturday June 6th, 2015 at 11:00 am in the First Lutheran Church on the 71st anniversary of D-Day. Pastor Steve Neuder will be officiating. "Don" as he liked to be called was born at home in Bellingham Minnesota, the only child of William and Serena Zahn. He was raised on the family farm until the age of 8. The family moved to St. Louis Park Minnesota where he attended school. At the age of 10 he went to work at Interlachen Country Club. Don graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1939. During High School he lettered in Track and Football. Don was the captain of the Track team and placed 5th in the State of Minnesota in the 440 yard dash. Don attended the University of Minnesota for 3 years and in 1942 enlisted in the Army Paratroopers. He was sent to Toccoa Georgia and was one of the original "Toccoa" men. He made the "March from Atlanta" a 132 mile march and then completed Jump Training at Fort Benning GA. Don was a member of the 101st Airborne, H Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and jumped on D Day, June 6th 1944. He received the Distinguished Service Cross when he was the first to volunteer to cross the bridge at Brevands onto enemy shore. Don was alone on a 30 minute recon where he was able to locate German troops and gun placements. Other troopers arrived and they all came under fire, the Americans returned fire and they recrossed the bridge under the lower bridge supports to avoid further enemy fire. Don made two more jumps during WWII, and received the Bronze Star for heroic service and two Purple Hearts. Don was the officer in charge of the platoon guarding The Berghof, Hitler's Mansion in Berchtesgaden. Don was very humble about his accomplishments and it was only in recent years he started to share his stories. After WWII Don joined the Army Reserves and retired after 20 years of service attaining the rank of Major. Don met the love of his life Norma Lee on a blind date and they were married May 23rd 1947 and spent the next 66 years together.They had nine children and raised their family in Edina Minnesota. Don worked for McFarland Pole Company as a salesman and in 1973 the family moved to Sandpoint for Don's job and then in 1975 relocated to Denver Colorado where they spent the next 34 years. Don enjoyed many fishing trips in northern Minnesota, took up skiing in Sandpoint, spending many weekends at Schweitzer Basin, and in Denver he loved tending to his vegetable garden and flower baskets. Together Don and Norma enjoyed skiing, going to Denver Bronco games, traveling and spending time with their kids and grandkids. They loved to entertain and it was never hard to find a reason to celebrate. Don and Norma returned to Sandpoint in 2009 and resided at Luther Park. They were members of the First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint. Don will be remembered as a strong, brave, kind and generous family man, who had a deep faith in the Lord and loved his wife and family abundantly. He will be greatly missed by friends and loved ones. Don is survived by his nine children, Karen Roberts Miami FL, Nancy Holvenstot Hopewell VA, Steve (Carol) Zahn Dellwood MN, Valerie (Casey) Jones Ivins UT, Barbara (Gary) Ridley Sandpoint ID, Judie (Gary) Wagner Charlotte NC, David (Beck) Zahn San Antonio TX, Kathie (Sean) Scott Denver CO, Kristie (Mike) Shaffer Denver CO. 22 Grandchildren, 13 Great Grandchildren, two nieces and two nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents William and Serena Zahn and his wife of 66 years Norma Zahn. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, Sandpoint, ID. Together, Donald and Norma's inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in the fall.