July 17 1926 – September 3, 2015
Minnie was born in Bluegrass, North Dakota on July 17, 1926, to Otillia (Nee. Hellman) and Florian Hoff. She was raised in Flasher, North Dakota with her five siblings Joseph, John, Anne, Eva and Adam. Minnie married Raphael J Zent on December 31, 1946. They had four children, Lawrence Zent, Eileen R. Hardin (Nee. Zent), Daniel Joseph Zent and Floyd John Zent.
Minnie and Raphael lived in North Dakota until embarking on an adventure with Raphael’s family to find work. They landed in Seattle where they resided in the Greenwood/Ballard area.
After many years of raising her children, she went to work in the laundry of the Ballard Convalescence Center, where she worked until retirement.
Minnie was instantly loved by all that she met, and always had a twinkle in her eyes. She was known to everyone as “Nana”, and seemed to adopt all who were willing to accept her love. She was a true nurturer, and would lend a hand to anyone who needed one. Minnie also helped to raise her friend’s daughter loving her as her own. She loved purely, never looking for what she would get, but rather what she could give. She was beautiful, just as much outwardly as she was within. She loved children, so much that she also took part in raising not just her grandchildren but some of her great grandchildren as well, mainly Isaac Johnson, Taurean Andersen, and Cecelia Andersen. She loved to go for walks with them and to “snoop” around the local stores.
Minnie and Raphael moved across Lake Washington to the Eastside to be closer to Eileen. After Raphael passed away in 2003, Minnie decided to partner and purchased a home with her daughter and her son-in-law Michael. She was very proud of her new home. Shortly after moving in to her home, Eileen and Michael decided to foster and adopt 3 children, whom Minnie adored. A few years after that Minnie picked up a virus and developed pneumonia, while in the hospital it was discovered that she had congestive heart failure. This was the time our little Nana had to learn to live with many challenging health issues such as Diabetes, COPD, Asthma and CHF. Despite these challenges she still wanted all the children around her and insisted on doing the laundry. Minnie loved the Lord and enjoyed attending Mass as often as she could. She was also an avid reader, completing a good book (and some not so good) in just a few days.
Minnie was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Joe and his wife Margaret, brother John and his wife Eleanor, sister Eva Schaff, brother Adam Hoff and brother –in-law, Leander Zins. She was also preceded in death by her son Daniel, great-grandson Corday, husband Raphael J Zent, daughter-in-law Margaret (Ann) Zent, great granddaughter Sydney Grace and her son Lawrence (Larry).
Minnie is survived by her son Floyd Zent, and daughter Eileen Hardin (son-in-law Michael) Grandchildren: Sarah Hardin Johnson, Sandra Zent Fisher, Shannon Hardin Andersen, Michael Hardin Jr., Carol Zent Warrick, Milo Hardin, Lydia Hardin Claxton, Amber Zent, Christopher Zent, Jacob Hardin, Katrina Hardin, Noah Hardin.
Great Grandchildren: Isaac Johnson, Taurean Andersen, Micah Johnson, Shawntel Peterson, Taylor Slattum, Alex Warrick, Cecelia Andersen, Leon Johnson III, Gabriel Johnson, Ezra Davis, Naomi Davis, Cameron Warrick, Josephine Davis, Tanya Warrick, Clayton Durbin Claxton, Mateus Claxton, Dylan Hardin, Madison Hardin and Lucy Rose Hardin.
Minnie passed peacefully at home surrounded by family and holding the hand of her niece Evelyn Miller. Many Nieces, Nephews and God Children will also mourn the loss of this beautiful gentle woman who only knew love.
Minnie, Mother, Nana, Godmother, Friend it doesn’t matter the title you used she will be deeply missed by all.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church in Redmond Washington on Saturday September 19th at 10:30 am.