Everett L. Zeise, 90, of Byron, formerly of Owatonna died of natural causes Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Maple Manor Health Care Facility in Rochester. Everett was born January 6, 1922 in Steele County the son of Robert and Rilda (Stewart) Zeise. He was the last of a family of ten children. He was raised and attended Owatonna High School. On October 5, 1942, he enlisted into the United States Army and served in the 746 Tank Battalion. This unit came in on the Utah Beach during the Normandy invasion on D-Day, June 6, 1944. For 14 months he traveled through Europe serving as a tanker in the United States Army and participated in numerous WWII battles including the Battle of the Bulge. He received his honorable discharge on October 5, 1945 in Saltzberg, Austria. Returning to Owatonna, he held various jobs until being hired by Owatonna Tool Company from which he retired in 1981. On November 24, 1947, he was united in marriage to Viola Schwenke at St. John Lutheran Church in Owatonna. The couple raised a daughter, Sharen and lost two children at infancy. Viola passed away on May 19, 1990. While living in Owatonna, Everett was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post 77, VFW Post 3723 and the Eagles Aerie 1791 all in Owatonna and also a life member of the Order of the Purple Heart. On April 2, 1995, Everett married Ruth Brooks and moved to Byron where he became a member of Christ Lutheran Church. Everett enjoyed playing baseball and was an avid pheasant hunter in his younger years. He also enjoyed playing cards and board games, singing, dancing and being with family and friends. He is survived by his wife Ruth Brooks of Byron; a daughter, Sharen (and Lyle) Stern of Wells; two grandchildren, Matthew (and Kay) Stern of Wells; Nathan (and Kim) Stern of Wells; five great grandchildren; Halie, Elizabeth, Brody, Blayze and Cayden Stern all of Wells; Step sons, Mark (and Norma) Brooks of Houston, TX; Scott (and Hollee) Brooks of Byron; David (and Janis) Brooks of Byron; Joe (and Kim) Brooks of Byron; Bob (and JoAnn) Brooks of Byron; five more grandchildren, Austin, Evan and Chelsea Brooks of Houston; Alexandra and Lily Brooks of Byron; three step granddaughters, Tara Bigelow, Shanna Glasrud and Sarah Ptacek. He was preceded in death by his wife Viola (1990), his granddaughter, Mandy Stern (2006), a son, a daughter, a granddaughter at infancy, his parents Robert (1949) and Rilda (1959), seven brothers and two sisters. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home 1930 Austin Road in Owatonna on Saturday, March 17, 2012 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral services will be held March 17, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Michaelson Funeral Home with the Reverend Jack Friedli officiating. Interment will be in the St. John Cemetery in Owatonna. Military honors will be provided by the Steele County Military Funeral Unit. Visitation: 03/17/2012 09:00 03/17/2012 11:00 Service: 1930 Austin Road, Owatonna, Minnesota 03/17/2012 11:00