Colten Jacob Zimdars

Colten Jacob Zimdars, 1 year and nearly 2 months old, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 29, 2024 at the Mayo Clinic - St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

He was born September 30, 2023 to Jacob and Brittany (Erhardt) Zimdars. Little Colten was a fighter from the start. Despite two open heart surgeries before his first birthday, Colten was a smiley, happy little boy. He adored his big sister because she always knew how to make him laugh. Like any little guy, he loved playing on his mat with his toys and cuddling with his mom and dad. Colten loved attention and his nurses and care team lavished him with it, making extended hospital stays not so scary. He liked the novelty of being outdoors and feeling the breeze on his curly head of hair. 

While he couldn’t stay long, every minute of his life was a blessing and his family is grateful to have had him grace their lives. 

Colten is survived by his mom and dad; Brittany and Jacob; big sister, Avery; grandmas and grandpas; Rob and Cindy Zimdars and Mark and Mary Erhardt; great-grandmas and grandpas; Arlyn Zimdars, Al and Deb Rolbiecki, Kay Gadient, and Virgil and Nadine Erhardt; aunts and uncles; Aaron (Makayla) Zimdars and Josh (Becca) Erhardt; cousins, Oliver and Remington, plus one new cousin on the way; as well as many great aunts and uncles, extended cousins and family friends. 

He is preceded in death by his great-grandfathers, Bob Zimdars and Bill Gadient; and his great-grandmother, Marilyn Rolbiecki 

Colten’s mom and dad would like to offer their thanks and appreciation to all of the staff at the Mayo Clinic and St. Mary’s hospital who helped with Colten’s care in the past year. 

A memorial service will be 2 p.m., Friday, December 6, 2024 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Red Wing with Rev. Dale Kohrs officiating. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m., Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Concordia and one hour prior to the service, also at church. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com