The last family owned funeral home in Thurston County.

Renate F. Zal passed away June 1 st , 2023. She was born in Crailsheim, Germany on September 20,

1949, to Wilhelm and Emma Bratz.

Renate spent her formative years in her beautiful small hometown of Crailsheim, Germany with her

beloved family. In 1968 she met the love of her life; Stanley M. Zal from Buffalo, NY, while he was

stationed in Germany serving the United States Army. They had four children together: Michaela,

Betty, Stan, and Priscilla. They remained in Germany until 1980 when they were stationed in the

United States for the first time at Fort Lewis, WA. They were assigned other duty stations in Fort Hood

TX, Fort Jackson SC, and Hershey PA. With each move they drove the family across United States 3

times, ultimately visiting every state! In 1987 they retired in Lacey, WA in the first home they

purchased together in 1980. Their house on a hill that she always wanted in America, that she

dreamed of raising her family in. Washington reminded her of Germany, with a similar climate,

beautiful mountains, rivers, and lush green forests.

Renate and Stanley enjoyed running a small arts and craft business in the old downtown Olympia Yard

Birds Shopping Center. Later they started another small business together remodeling kitchens called

Zal’s Cabinet Refacing and Countertops. They spent many hours working together in their woodshop

at home. They enjoyed entertaining and showing family visiting from Germany and Buffalo, NY our

beautiful PNW. They enjoyed all that our PNW has to offer, including many trips to Dosewallips for

camping and clam digs. They also enjoyed collecting antiques and attending car shows together with

their prized 1961 Chevi Impala.

If you knew Renate, whom we lovingly called “Omi”, you undoubtedly had a taste of her amazing

German food! Almost every holiday or celebration Omi would arrive with her German potato salad

and a black forest cake. She made huge amounts of German food for weddings, large gatherings, and

for Birthday’s, she would make enough to have leftovers for days. Renate was known for making the

most delicious rouladen, schnitzel, knödel, sauerbraten and many more dishes and recipes from her

schwäbisch heritage.

After Stanley’s passing in 2008, Omi enjoyed spending time with her children; Michaela (Edward

Winkley), Betty (Chris Keller), Stan (Rebekah Kruger) and Priscilla (Dylan Guthridge). Including her

grandchildren; Laython (Landon and Sawyer), Zoe (Ceci), Gabe, Aiden, BettyAnn, Grant, Eddie, Shanon,

Xyla, and her extended community here in Washington. She loved shopping antique stores and estate

sales in search of the many treasures she enjoyed collecting. She especially loved collecting sea glass

and all things nautical. Renate also enjoyed spending time with her many social groups, going on

neighborhood walks and monthly lunch dates with friends. She would often visit Hess Bakery and Deli

in Lakewood, an authentic German scratch bakery for special treats and reminders of Germany.

Renate had a close bond with her siblings in Germany; Ruth und Willi, Rolf und Margit, Dieter und

Helga, Roland und Hermine, and Willi und Brigitte (including all her much-loved nieces and nephews).

Renate traveled back home visit often and returned with wonderful stories and memories.

Our “Omi” was sweet and gentle natured, everyone loved her. She was always content with what she

had and the life she created for herself. She always knew exactly what she wanted, and she knew her

limits. She was strong and courageous. She was completely fulfilled and enjoyed the happiness of

others, especially her children and grandchildren. Mutterliebe ist die schönste Liebe auf Erden.

There will be a Celebration of her Life on Saturday, July 8 th at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel followed by a reception at Forest Funeral Home and

Cemetery. 2501 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501 p:  (360) 943-6363