Harold J. Zola

Harold Zola, age 91 of rural Oslo, MN passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Woodside Village in Grand Forks, ND.

Harold was born May 14, 1932 in Oslo, MN, the son of the late William and Palagia (Paschke) Zola. He attended rural school in Walsh County and St. Anthony Parochial School in Warsaw. He graduated from Oslo High School in 1950. He attended the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton for one year. Harold was drafted into the United States Army on February 4, 1953. He received his basic training at Camp Chaffee, AK and advanced training at Fort Ben Harrison in Indianapolis, IN. He served in the Adjutant General Corps at Camp Zama, in Tokyo, Japan from 1953-1954. While there he scaled to the top of Mount Fuji. Upon his discharge he returned home and met Marcellene Cieklinski at a graduation in Argyle, Minnesota. They were later married on Sept. 20, 1960 in Florian, MN. The couple lived on the family farm west of Oslo and farmed together for over 55 years in Walsh County.

Harold was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic church of Warsaw where he served as Eucharistic Minister, Usher and Liturgical Minister for 25 years.  He was the Walshville Township clerk for 54 years serving from 1958-2012. He served as the Walshville School District Clerk and treasurer for 33 years and served on the Oslo Elevator Board for 24 years, 17 of those years as president. He was a member of the Oslo American Legion for 65 years, serving as Post Commander, Post Chaplain and served on the Military Honors team.

Harold is survived by his children: Jeffrey (Tammy) Zola, Grand Forks, ND; Susan (David) Cullinan, Eau Claire, WI; David Zola (Rebecca Green), Grand Forks, ND; Kenneth (Joette) Zola, Lino Lakes, MN; Alan (Penny Jo) Zola, Fargo, ND; 13 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and brother Louis “Billy” Zola, Oslo, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Marcellene on June 8, 2017.

Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, January 8, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church of Warsaw. Visitation will be Sunday from 3-5 PM with a prayer service at 5:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Monday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery in Warsaw. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post #41 and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.