Edwin "Ed" Zuern

Edwin F. Zuern, Bismarck, died unexpectedly of heart failure on Oct. 14, 2015, at the Knife River Care Center in Beulah. He was 82. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the United Church of Christ, 1201 Highland Acres Road in Bismarck with Rev. Gretchen Deeg officiating. Ed was born on Feb. 8, 1933, in Fargo. At five months of age he was adopted by Fred and Emma (Fandrich) Zuern of Hazen and grew up on his family's farm. He maintained the family farm throughout his working life while pursuing careers in law, teaching, and the ministry. After graduating from Hazen High School, he completed a Bachelor of Art and a Bachelor of Theology at Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota. Following his graduation from Yankton College in 1955, he spent a year studying at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. He then went on to earn a Masters degree in Sociology from the University of Montana and a Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota. Ed served in the North Dakota and Montana National Guard for 8 years, earning the rank of First Lieutenant. For six years Ed taught sociology and business law at the University of North Dakota, Williston Center, where he also served as Director of Academic Affairs. He moved on to teach Sociology and Criminal Law at Dickinson State University. In 1972 Ed accepted a position as an Assistant Attorney General for North Dakota at the State Capitol in Bismarck. He served in this capacity for 23 years, retiring in 1995. During these years he also taught courses on the criminal justice system and criminal law for the North Dakota State Highway Patrol and the United Tribes Technical Center in Bismarck. After his retirement, at the request of the United Church of Christ Conference, Ed became a licensed minister and began a dynamic second career as an interim minister, serving UCC churches in Medina, Garrison, Hebron, Grand Forks, and Manvel, as well as Kapa'a United Church of Christ in Kaua'i, HI, and Makawao Union Church in Maui, HI. Throughout his life he was a frequent substitute minister and a guest minister at mission fests, family reunions, and special occasions. He also enjoyed performing in community-theater productions in Bismarck. Ed was a member of the Bismarck United Church of Christ, a past President and Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis, and a member of the Germans from Russia Heritage Association and the Elks. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Louise (Johnson) Zuern; his daughter, Michelle Derby (Clayton), Bismarck; his sons, Mark Zuern and John Zuern (Laura Lyons), Honolulu; his grandchildren, Clara Derby, Grace Derby, and Sam Zuern; his half-sisters Myrna Crampton, Marady Hotzfield, and Llonda Putz; and his half-brothers Harry Bean and Roy Bean. He is preceded in death by his birth and adoptive parents and his adopted sister, Ruth Zuern. Ed brought compassion, humor, and dignity to everything he did, and he will be deeply missed. - See more at: http://www.eastgatefuneral.com/obituary/Edwin-Ed-Zuern/Bismarck-ND/1552533#sthash.AmcAFa1n.dpuf