Dorothy A Zentner

Dorothy A. Zentner, 86, Bismarck, passed away on July 7, 2016, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Monday, July 11, at Church of St. Anne, 1321 Braman Avenue, Bismarck, with Rev. Corey Nelson officiating. Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Sunday, July 10, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave., Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 pm. Dorothy was born on April 7, 1930, in Dickinson, ND, to Frank Praus, Sr., and Anna Kubishta Praus and was reared in South Heart, ND. She married Michael H. Zentner on October 24, 1950, in South Heart. Dorothy earned her elementary teaching degree from Dickinson State College (DSU) and taught for several years in various towns in rural North Dakota such as Halliday and Regent. After moving to Bismarck in the mid-1960’s, Dorothy taught at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Grade School. While teaching there, she pursued her elementary and secondary education degrees at Mary College (University of Mary), graduating in 1966. She continued her career teaching in Wilton, ND, and at United Tribes Technical College as an adult educator. Later, the family moved to Jamestown, ND, where she commuted to Jud, ND, serving as Superintendent of Schools for a time. The remainder of her teaching career was spent in the Jamestown Public School System, many years teaching Title 1, Chapter 1, and other Federal programs. She was a member of the State Department English Council for 8 years. She retired in 1987 and in 1988, she and her husband moved to Bismarck to be closer to their grandchildren. Dorothy was a lifetime member of the Bismarck-Mandan Retired Teachers Association, and the Ladies of Ascension, of which she held official positions for many years. She was also a member of the American Legion and VFW Auxiliary, serving on education committees wherever they lived. Dorothy’s loving family includes her husband, Michael, of 65 years, Bismarck; daughters, Kathleen Lee, Redmond, OR, Gloria (Robert) Nyre, Minot, ND, Elizabeth (Ronald) Gregoryk, Wilton, ND; son, Stephan (Lois) Zentner, Indianapolis, IN; her grandchildren, Laura (Peter) Knudson, Jonathan (Tanya) Nyre, Gabriel (Betsy) Zentner, Michael (April) Gregoryk, Andrew (Cydnee) Gregoryk; and five great-grandchildren. She was the 11th of 12 children and is survived by one brother, Frank E. (Sylvia) Praus, Mesa, AZ; and several nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; ten siblings; and one son-in-law, Harold Lee. Special thanks to Missouri Slope Care Center personnel for the loving care of our parents and to the St. Alexius Hospice nurses for your gentle guidance.