The art of the obit: The man with Alzheimer’s

Today’s obit section reveals another poignant piece of writing. This time, unlike some of the other obituaries we’ve highlighted over the years, the compelling part is just a single line at the end of an obituary for a gentleman who died of Alzheimer’s.

John E. Zuel
Zuel, John E. Age 66, of Plymouth, MN, lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease surrounded by the love of his family on Friday, November 27, 2015.

He was preceded in death by his parents Bud and Mary; his siblings Charles and David; and mother-in-law Edythe Hansen. He is survived by his wife Jan; his children Chris (Gina), Jamie (Melissa), and Jessica (Ryan) Guggenberger; his grandchildren Carter, Tyler, Edythe, Lydia and Oliver; his siblings Linda (Richard) Weber and Tim (William Sternberg); and his father-in-law Eddie Hansen.

Visitation will be from 2-3 p.m., followed by a memorial service Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Cremation Society of Minnesota in Brooklyn Park. Memorials preferred to ALZ.org or Allina Hospice.

We are comforted knowing that John Zuel knows who John Zuel is again.

(h/t: Jennifer Ehrlich)