Michael Mark Zinner

Mike Zinner (born Michael Mark Zinner, of Youngstown, Ohio) passed away at home on June 12, 2026 at 73 years old. After serving as an army radio operator (1972-1974) in Germany, the GI Bill led him to a degree in electronics in Minneapolis, and his love of the counterculture led him to First Avenue music club (then called Uncle Sam’s), where he met his lifelong love Earlene in 1975 – a partnership that would span nearly five decades. A self-made man who was forged by the Army and made a family man by Earlene, he taught himself computer programming on an old Radio Shack color computer in 1979. From this, he built a career in information technology, working with Sprint, Norstan, and finally retiring from the State of MInnesota after 15 years of service.

He and Earlene raised their two sons, Ben and Sam, in the suburbs of Minneapolis – with a brief two-year adventure in Kansas City with U.S. Sprint. A loving father determined to improve upon the example set by his own father, he showed up for his children and made sure they knew they were loved.

He expressed his love through a range of quirky hobbies. He loved cooking, especially homemade sushi, ribs, and bread recipes that will continue to be enjoyed by family for years to come. He loved motorcycles and electric bicycles, odd comic books, and groan-worthy dad jokes. He was photography-curious, investing countless hours in photographing flowers and proudly displaying the results, and making endless photo collages of his grandchildren. Long before live-streaming wildlife cameras became commonplace, he helped pioneer the Minnesota DNR Eagle Cam, and guided the scale-up of video technology for the State. In recent years, he embraced 3D printing, producing a wide assortment of gadgets ranging from the surprisingly useful, to the decidedly unnecessary. Beyond sharing his passions with family, he was a steady source of support for friends who struggled to find the steady path that he did, offering them stability, encouragement, and help when it was needed most.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Earlene Zinner; his son Ben and daughter-in-law Lauren Zinner of Cambodia, and younger son Sam and daughter-in-law Anne Zinner of Minnesota; his grandchildren, Ronen, Anastasia, Oliver, and Vivienne; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. His family takes comfort in knowing that somewhere, Mike is finally riding a Harley.