Karl Zeller

Karl F. Zeller of Ignacio, CO died Feb. 13, 2015. He was born Feb. 19, 1931 to Samuel C. and Helene Zeller in Nazareth, PA, where he grew up and went to school, until enlisted in the US Navy in 1950. He prided himself in his naval service with aircraft carrier fighter squadrons, retaining his interest in naval aviation. With great pride, he graduated Cum Laude in 1957 from the University of New Hampshire with a Wildlife Management Degree. Upon graduation, he was hired by the US Forest Service, spending 26 years as a Forest Ranger in Wyoming and Colorado. As an amateur historian, he loved discovering anecdotes of his own family history including his German roots, PA German dialect, and Forest Service history. Karl was an English sports car enthusiast. He was a lover of classical and folkloric music, and in his spare time, considered himself, an amateurish pianist and accordionist. Karl was a member of St. Ignatius Parish, of Ignacio, CO.
He is survived by he wife Marie “Della” Zeller, son Skip Zeller (Kim), son Chris Zeller, daughter Heidi Holley (Ed), son Eric Zeller (Zena), son Shane Vigil (Jessie), step daughter Linda Parrott (Ron). Karl has 4 grandchildren, Kaeti Zeller, Orion Vigil, Joe and Alex Pizzisi and 5 great grandchildren.
A recitation of the Rosary will be held on Thurs., Feb. 19, 2015 at 7pm at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial, also at St. Ignatius, will be at 10am on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, with burial to follow at Ignacio East Cemetery.