Zerelda A. Dahms, age 104, of Redwood Falls, (formerly of Wanda) passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025, at Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Willow Lake Township, rural Wanda. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service at the church. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Trinity Lutheran Church is where Zerelda was baptized, confirmed and married twice. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Zerelda Alvina (Fennern) Dahms was born on March 14, 1921, in Willow Lake Township, rural Wanda, Minnesota, to Albert and Martha (Zick) Fennern. She attended the country school near her home. On June 2, 1942, she was united in marriage to Ernest Fennern at Trinity Lutheran Church in Willow Lake Township, and together they made their home near Wanda. Once her children were in school, Zerelda began working outside the home – first as a cook and later as a home health aide for a local family. She went on to serve for many years as a Personal Care Attendant for the county, where she provided loving and dedicated assistance to many individuals. In 1984, Ernest passed away. On September 25, 1993, Zerelda married Lee Dahms, also at Trinity Lutheran Church. A lifelong member of Trinity, she loved to sing and often shared her beautiful voice at weddings and funerals. Zerelda found great joy in gardening and crocheting, creating treasured doilies, doll dresses, baby blankets, and bonnets. She also maintained hundreds of PenPal friendships, faithfully writing and receiving letters throughout her life. Remarkably, she continued dancing the polka twice a week until she was 90 years old -then “cut back” to only once a week. Zerelda’s long and healthy 104 years were shaped by faith, filled with love, and forever anchored by the family she cherished above all.

Zerelda is survived by her children: LaVonne Petack of Isanti, Roger Fennern of Redwood Falls, Diane (Larry) Distad of Randleman, NC; grandchildren: Kim, Beth, Kerry Jay, Chris, Jerrad, Melisa, Jason, Rebecca, Brinlee, and Tara; and 18 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands Ernest and Lee; daughter Joyce Barna, son-in-law Kerry Barna, daughter-in-law Betty Fennern, and son-in-law Jim Petack; grandson Keith; and siblings Martha, Norman, Leon, Don, and Ivan.