Everyone at Cowsmo would like to send their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Hank.
Henry (Hank) Ziel, Jr. age 79, died at home in Port Austin on July 17, 2022. He was born to Henry Ziel Sr. and Beatrice (Albrecht) Ziel on Stoddard Road, Dwight Township on October 16, 1942. He started his farming career at birth. As a young man, Hank was instrumental in the farm evolving into a registered Holstein dairy farm. He studied agriculture at MSU.
He married Jeanette Finkel on August 3, 1963, who was his life partner as well as his business partner. She preceded him in death on August 14, 2021. Together, they raised four children, Mark, Michelle, Chad and Crystal. All the children participated in farm operations. Zielland Farms remains a family enterprise now into the third generation. A remarkable achievement of their efforts was the breeding and raising of two recognized TPI bulls, Zielland Fast Future and Zielland Zebo whose semen has been marketed around the world.
Hank has been active in his church community as well as the farming community. He held several leadership positions at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Kinde. He held several positions of leadership in both the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) and the Michigan Animal Breeders Cooperative (MABC). In addition, he was the president of the Kinde Farmers CoOp Board of Directors for 24 years.
Hank had other interests outside of farming: his family, friends and all children, board and card games, the Detroit Tigers, Dr. Poll’s television show, bocce ball and golf.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and son, Chad (December 3, 2021). He will be mourned by his children, Mark Ziel of Port Austin, Michelle (Steve) Gayari of Pigeon, Crystal Ziel of Albany, New York, and Suna Ziel (daughter-in-law) of Caro, and his three grandchildren, Hanna Ziel, Shawn Gayari, and Kyle Gayari. He will also be remembered by his siblings, Dennis Ziel (Sarasota, FL), Dale Ziel (Tenakee Springs, AL), Susan Hardisty (Flint).
Visitation will be at Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde, MI from 2 to 8 PM on July 22, 2022, and at 10 AM on Saturday, July 23rd at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Kinde prior to the service which will be at 11 AM. The Rev Larry Loree, Sr will officiate, with burial in the Zion-St.Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery. Any donations in his memory are requested to be given to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.