Alvin Edwin Emil Zabel, age 83, of Wells, died Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at United Hospital in Blue Earth.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, June 9, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells.

The Rev. Paul Baker will officiate. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and one hour before the service on Friday. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Wells. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

Alvin Zabel was born April 26, 1923, the son of Edwin and Martha (Wendt) Zabel in Danville Township, Blue Earth County. He married Eleanor Bogenschutz on April 8, 1947, in Wells. After his marriage he farmed with his father for a few years. Alvin spent the majority of his working career at Wilson Foods in Albert Lea. He was a member of the Labor Union at Wilson’s and a lifelong member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells. He enjoyed square dancing, ballroom dancing, camping and gardening.

Alvin is survived by one daughter and one son: Paulette and husband Glen Beckmann of Ellendale and Ellwood and wife Beth of New Ulm; six grandchildren, Mike (Tonja) Beckmann of Eagle Lake, Mathew (Diana) Beckmann of Hartland, Michele (Mike) DeMar of Blair, Wis., Marlin (Jessica Behnke) Beckmann of Hartland, Trent Zabel and Nathan Zabel of New Ulm, two great-grandchildren: Morgan and Evan Beckmann, one brother Ed &8220;Jim&8221; and his wife Joan Zabel of Clarks Grove, one brother-in-law, Howard Treptow of Delavan, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor, his parents and sisters Viola Hicks and Norma Treptow.