Herman Zincke

Herman William Zincke, 88, passed away on January 15, 2026.

Herman was born on December 30th, 1937, in Pleasant Grove, Minnesota and graduated from Rochester High School. He spent his early years on his family's farm and at the age of 19, he went to Endicott, New York to train with IBM. He was part of the early days of IBM and while there he was a member of the project team that developed the AS/400 computer. Herman retired in 1991 with 34 years of service. In the years after retirement, Herman stayed busy cleaning Bethel Lutheran and Holy Cross Church, often stating he was doing the Lord's work. He met with a group of friends for coffee every day, took walks with Diane and tended to his lawn and roses. He loved snowmobiling and was a founding member of the Go-Pher Sno Club. Summers were filled with fishing trips and traveling in their motorhome to various places camping with family and friends. They headed the motorhome South for the winter, camping in Florida.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Diane; children Mike (Sue) of Rochester, Melanie (Paul Herring) of Jacksonville, Florida, Marty (Joyce) of Minnetrista, Kim (Tim Harrigan) of Mahtomedi, and Jon of Grand Junction, Colorado. Grandchildren Haley (Patrick Voss) and Tucker Zincke, Allison and Andrew (Amanda) Herring, Kyle Magnuson and Greta Zincke, Amelia and Jack Harrigan. Great-grandchildren Noah, Baylor and Milo Voss and Percy Herring. Herman is also survived by his sisters Sherry (Chuck Applequist) of Rochester, and Carol (Mike Holmquist) of Phoenix, Arizona.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lorraine Zincke and Gordon Zincke, brother, Milo Zincke and granddaughters Emily and Michaela Herring.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff at Cottagewood Senior Communities for their care and kindness in caring for Herman.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Bethel Lutheran Church, Cottagewood Senior Communities or the Alzheimer's Association.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Bethel Lutheran Church (810 3rd Ave SE Rochester, MN 55904). Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. Burial will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Zincke family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com