Milo A. Ziemann

Obituary

Milo Albert John Ziemann was born December 19, 1924, on the Ziemann family farm in Round Grove Township, McLeod County, Minnesota, the son of William and Anna (Brede) Ziemann. He was baptized at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Fernando, Minnesota, in 1925, and was confirmed in his faith there with the German confirmation class in 1939. Milo attended country school in Round Grove Township through the eighth grade. He farmed with his parents, and also worked off the farm operating the portable feed mill in the Fernando – Stewart area. 

On January 28, 1944, Milo was united in marriage to Agnes Ida Henke on the Henke farm in West Lynn Township. The minister from St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Reverend Lehne performed the service. They made their home on the family farm where they raised their three children. Milo continued farming until he was drafted into the Army Infantry in 1945. He was stationed in Germany. Because Milo knew the German language, one of his duties was transporting prisoners of war from camp to camp. Those transfers took him across the country of Germany, including taking POWs to and from the Nuremberg Trials. Following his discharge in 1946, Milo returned home and resumed farming. 

From 1946 to 1986, Milo operated his dairy cow operation, with Agnes by his side. During this 40-year timeframe, he served as a board member for the Stewart Creamery Plant in Stewart. He also held the position of Round Grove Township clerk for 25 years. He enjoyed caring for animals, his dairy herd, and his wildlife farm zoo in the 1950s and 1960s. He crossbred buffalo with his dairy cattle, known as beefalo. Milo also raised elk, bear, a variety of fallow deer, and peacocks for over 50 years. In 1970, Milo got involved in collecting horse equipment and old tractors. He held several thrashing shows from 1971 to 1976, bringing back many memories to friends, neighbors, and relatives. The Ziemann farm was noted for hosting many family reunions, gathering together friends, neighbors, and relatives. In 2009, the Ziemann farm was recognized by McLeod County Agricultural Association as a Century Farm.

After retiring from farming, Milo enjoyed traveling. He traveled to 21 foreign countries, and also to all 50 states. He returned to Germany and Europe more than 12 times, accompanied by family members, including his children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces, and also by friends. He attended Case-International Expos all over the United States and Canada, and thrashing shows in Minnesota. Milo enjoyed shaking dice, reading the daily newspapers, looking for another auction to attend.  He kept up with news from all over the world, and would spend his evenings from 5:00-7:00 p.m. watching TV, the News and Wheel of Fortune being his favorite shows.  

Milo was a lifetime member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Fernando, and had served as a council member. Milo and Agnes reverently enjoyed worshipping there. They shared 61 years of marriage when Agnes passed away on October 24, 2005. 

On November 7, 2024, Milo passed away at the Buffalo Lake Health Care Center at the age of 99 years. Blessed be his memory.

Milo is survived by his:
Children,           Gerhard Ziemann and wife, Sandra of Hutchinson, and
                        Eileen Wittman of Gilberts, Illinois/Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Michelle Nordman, Jacqueline (Randy) Diepold, Racquel (Don) Kiecker, and Jennifer Wittman;
Great-grandchildren, Collin Nordman, Alisha Nordman, Emmitt Diepold, Payton Diepold, Dylan Diepold, Jade Wittman, Olivia Kiecker, and Landon Kiecker;
Nieces, Nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

Milo was preceded in death by his Parents; Wife, Agnes Ziemann; Son, Delmer Ziemann; Grandsons, Jeffrey Ziemann and Christopher Ziemann; Great-Grandsons, Joshua Nordman and Aaden Kiecker; Siblings, Mable Lade, Leona Remus Stark, Ruben Zieman, Martin Ziemann, Gerhard Ziemann, Violet Klammer.