Service Information
Zella J. Thode, age 8, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at Hutchinson Health.
Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. and one hour prior to the service, all at Faith Lutheran Church.
Memorials preferred listed as follows:
Ronald McDonald House - Upper Midwest (MN)
https://rmhc-uppermidwest.org/Support/index.html
Colten’s Joy (Team Colten)
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ColtensJoy
Fiona’s Hope
http://www.fionashope.org/donate.html
Obituary
Zella Jo Thode was born on February 22, 2013, at The Mother Baby Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Matthew & Sara (Daniels) Thode and sister of Jones (10) and Hawkins (7). Zella was baptized as an infant on February 28, 2013, at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a Baptismal Blessing on November 2nd, 2014, at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
For 8 ½ years, we have had the pleasure to watch in amazement all that she had accomplished. She had proved countless doctors and specialists wrong and defied all odds against her through her two open-heart surgeries, multiple heart caths, and a long list of other procedures. She fought battle after battle with a smile on her face and usually a large bow in her hair. God had a special plan for her from the very beginning and we are so proud and blessed to have been alongside her during this journey.
Zella loved school and was currently attending third grade at Park Elementary School in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Zella enjoyed bossing her brothers around but was also their biggest fan. Her perfect day was going out for lunch with her bestie, Jamie, then browsing Target aisles until she found the one thing she just had to have. She loved Baby Yoda, opening surprise bags, video & arcade games, I pad & YouTube. Her favorite foods were chips and dip, pepperoni, and pretzels.
Zella stole the hearts of many. She inspired us every day and showed that “special” has more to do with what you can do than what you can’t. She brought people together with her bright personality and infectious smile. She made the world a better place and made us better people. Zella radiated kindness, love & joy.
Zella passed away in the embrace of her parents on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson, Minnesota at the age of eight years old.
Zella is deeply loved & brought immense joy to those around her. Blessed be her memory.
Zella is survived by her:
Parents, Matthew and Sara Thode; Siblings, Jones and Hawkins Thode; Grandparents, Timothy Thode and his wife, Gail, Gary Daniels and his wife, Sharon; Great-Grandparents, Florian Thode, Joyce Schmidt; Best Friend, Jamie Johnson; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends residing in the Hutchinson, Minnesota area.
Zella is preceded in death by her Aunt, Melissa Daniels; Great-grandparents, John Schmidt, Myron and Hazel Daniels, Vernice Thode, Robert and Luella Gutormson.
joan paulson says
ZELLA brought so much Joy to everyone she came in contact with. She was a spitfire-
Claire Woelfel says
Dear Matt, Sara and family,
I am so sorry and saddened to hear of the loss of Zella. What a beautiful girl she was and a gift to all who knew and loved her. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Claire Woelfel
Le Ann says
I don’t know you, but I am very sorry for your loss of your beautiful little girl ??
God bless you forever.
Pam Hahn says
Rest in peace lil one, ur in the loving arms of ur heavenly father he loves u so much.
Cliff & Carol Thon says
Omgosh, we’re soooo sorry for your loss of your beautiful daughter. Lot of hugs & prayers sent out to you, your hubby & the rest of your family.
Ray & jan Hollenbeck says
Pudge & I are so very sorry to hear of Zella’s passing. I know she is in God’s good hands and is smiling down on her family & friends.
Our heart & thoughts are with you & your families. Hugs to you all, Pudge & jan Hollenbeck
Barbara Anderson says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers
Olivia says
Sorry Mr thode from blhs
Barbara peterson says
Sara and family, Sincere sympathy to you. May your beautiful memories of Zella comfort you at this time. What a precious angel! Gods blessings be with you and family.
Marj I Frieler says
Gary & Sharon, so sorry to hear of the loss of your granddaughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sharon Daniels says
Thank you Marj for your kind words. Much appreciated!
Sharon and Gary
Mary Kramer says
My heart and prayers go out to you, Matt, Sara, and the entire family of little Zella. She was a “teacher” in the way she affected life around her for all the many people she touched. I will keep you your family in my prayers and thoughts. Mary Kramer
David Daniels says
Sara, Matt, Jones, and Hawkins,
The good Lord knows your pain, sees your tears, and knows your hearts are oh so heavy and overcome with grief and He is with you – Immanuel (Hebrew meaning “God with us” or “God is with us”)! May He comfort you in this time and surround you and up hold you with His love! I have no doubt that your precious little girl, Zella, God’s miracle child, was welcomed home by Jesus’ outstretched arms and embraced with a kiss and a hug and is overwhelmed by being in the presence of His glory! We all remember and celebrate her life with you, which is now eternal. My heart and prayers are with you.
David Daniels says
Sara, Matt, Jones, & Hawkins,
The good Lord knows your sorrow, sees your tears, and knows your hearts are overwhelmed with grief and is with you – Immanuel (Hebrew meaning; “God with us” or God is with us”)! Your precious little girl, God’s miracle child, I have no doubt was welcomed home by the loving arms of Jesus as He kissed and embraced her and said “Welcome home my child”! And if we could only see her now, overwhelmed with awe in His glorious presence, would the tears we shed be for her or for those of us left behind? We all celebrate her life as we know now that it is eternal because of the Eternal King! My heart and prayers are with you.
Fred and Barb Bern says
Special thoughts and hugs to Zella’s family, what an amazing little girl! She was a fighter and fought a courageous battle! Our daughter, Stacey was her teacher in preschool and talked of Zella a lot. We met her a couple times, she always had a smile on her face and brought a smile to ours! Our sympathy to your entire family.
Karen Hoffmann says
To Zella’s family, Tim and Gail, Florian and entire Thode family–Sending our sympathy and keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. What a sweetheart and what a beautiful Angel she will make in heaven. May God bless all of you and may you find strength from the love of family and friends. Love, hugs and prayers to all.
Karen and Larry Hoffmann
Colleen and Larry Wagner says
We are so sorry to hear about your little girl. Our sympathies to everyone in the Thode family and to Gary and Sharon.
Terri Peterson says
God bless your little one. I am Jenelle Stiras’ mom. Jenelle and Ella spoke so kindly of your little angel.
Dean & Susan Westre says
Gary, Sharon and Family,
Sending our condolences in the loss of your little grandaughter , Zella. May you find comfort and peace in the days ahead.
What a beautiful little child of God !
Our very sincere and deepest sympathy,
Dean and Susan Hemingway-Westre
Cindy karg says
So very sorry for your loss!! Looks like she taught a lot of people about life at such a young age!!! May her beautiful memories hold you tight and give you strength!! With deepest sympathy to all!! She earned her wings!
Ava Gutormson says
Zella was the most joyful little girl that I have ever seen in my life. Every time I saw her smile, she put a smile on my face. She was such an inspiration to all of us.
Darlene says
To all of Zellas family, What a beautiful young lady. I am sorry I was unable to meet her, but enjoyed her life on Facebook. So thankful for the folks that posted. She was so remarkable, and always happy. Made my day seeing her master another goal. Her family is amazing. Raising that happy baby with all the things she and them went through. I started praying for you all(including all her many family members). When I heard she was born. And what a fighter she was. She will be missed by many. I am not with you but my prayers and thoughts are there
Jo Reck says
To the family of precious little Zella~
My heart literally aches every time I look at her adorable little face. Losing a child is the hardest thing you will ever have to bear in this life. I pray for peace and comfort as you navigate life now without this beautiful little doll! I hope you have lots and lots of pictures, and priceless memories that will help you to keep her close to your heart. God gave you an angel, disguised as a little girl…and now he’s called her home ~
With gentle thoughts and heartfelt sympathy~
Jo Larson Reck
Donna (Ondracek) Engelen says
So sorry for your loss of Zella. I’m so glad you got to have more “yes” days together. She taught us all many things. And it was a beautiful service. Love and hugs to all of you.
Elmer vorlicek says
Sorry for your loss and matt and family I am here for you and sorry for the way late post