Carleton Zahn

Rev. Carleton Edward Zahn
June 29, 1938 - November 26, 2025

Rev. Carleton ("Carl") Edward Zahn was born on June 29, 1938, at Maternity Hospital in North Minneapolis, the second of three children of Clarence and Harriet (Lundberg) Zahn. He grew up primarily in South Minneapolis alongside his sisters, Muriel and Helen. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Clayton, who died at birth.

Carleton sensed a call to the holy ministry from an early age. In 1952 he enrolled in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) ministerial program at Concordia Academy in St. Paul. After graduating, he continued his studies on the same campus at Concordia Junior College (1956-58), earning his Associate of Arts degree. In 1958 he moved on to Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts. He then attended Concordia Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri (1960-64), including the third year of vicarage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Syracuse, New York, and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree.

Carleton married the love of his life, Zelda Gades, on August 25, 1963. The two met at Trinity First Lutheran Church in Minneapolis in 1961, where Zelda served on staff as a parish worker and Carleton worked as a summer vicar.

Following seminary, Carleton accepted his first call to Faith Lutheran Church in Tracy, Minnesota. He also started a new mission congregation, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Marshall, while ministering as campus pastor at Southwest State College. This resulted in a dual parish and an active ministry among students, administrators, and faculty-a 25-mile circuit that shaped the early years of his pastoral life. During these years, the Zahn's welcomed two children, Heidi and Steven, and moved to a home in Marshall, Minnesota.

In 1970, the family relocated to Big Rapids, Michigan, where Carleton served as full-time campus pastor at Ferris State College. Later that same year, the family welcomed their third child, Nancy, through adoption.

In 1973, Carleton accepted a call from the Minnesota South District of the LCMS to serve as campus pastor at Mankato State College.

Carleton returned to parish ministry in 1980 when he accepted the call to Peace Lutheran Church in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. He served faithfully for 23 years until his retirement in 2003, completing 39 years of dedicated ministry.

Carleton will be remembered for his love for his family, his deep faith, warm pastoral heart, sharp intellect, and unwavering commitment to serving God's people.

Carleton is survived by his loving wife, Zelda Zahn; his children: Heidi (Darrell) Werries, Steven (Robyn) Zahn, and Nancy (Martin) Vargo; grandchildren-Megan, Ryan, Henry, Madelyn, Audrey, and Rachel; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 am January 24, 2026, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 5005 Northwest Blvd., Plymouth, MN: Visitation 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Bread for the World (world hunger was a big concern for Carleton), Habitat for Humanity, or Trinity First School, Minneapolis.