Jeffrey "Jeff" Darrell Zea

In Loving Memory of

Jeffrey “Jeff” Darrell Zea

Jeff Zea was born on January 4, 1962, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Darrell and Vida Pettis Zea.  He grew up in Lakefield, MN and attended Lakefield High School.  Jeff served in the Minnesota National Guard.  Jeff made his home in Slayton, MN and worked as a Nursery Manger for Green Prairie Pork for 20 years until it closed.  He then went to work for Monogram Food in Chandler, MN working in the cheese room.  Jeff then found the jobs he was meant to do working as a clerk at Cenex and later Ag Plus both in Slayton.  Jeff loved to visit with his regular customers as well as anyone that stopped in. Too many he was affectionately known as Cenex Jeff.  Jeff passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 64.  Jeff enjoyed coffee at Cenex with the guys, hunting, fishing, visiting with friends, auto racing and spending time with his bonus grandchildren. 

Survivors include his son, Brandon Batt and his wife, Rachel and their two children, Jaxson and Amelia Batt of Two Harbors, MN, two half brothers and their spouses, Mike and Victoria Zea of Estherville, IA, and Gary and Sharon Zea of Granite Falls, MN, long time best friend, Angie Olivier of Slayton, MN, and her two daughters, Mikayla and Dylan Schreier of Iona, MN and Darien Olivier and Jeremiah Engelkes of Slayton, MN, and their two daughters, Elinnore and Skylar Engelkes and special friend, Judy Dean of Slayton, MN.  He is preceded in death by his father Darrell Zea and stepmother, Norman Zea, sister, Debbie Filbrandt, niece, Tisha Kirkendall, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Visitation will be on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton from 1-2 p.m. with interment at New Woodlawn Cemetery in Pipestone, MN. 

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