Michael H. Zentner

Michael H. Zentner, 99, Bismarck, died June 15, 2019, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Friday, June 21, at Church of St. Anne, 1321 Braman Ave., Bismarck, with Rev. Wayne Sattler officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, June 20, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 pm.

Mike was born March 6, 1920, the son of George and Elizabeth (Wetzstein) Zentner, to a family of two brothers and seven sisters. The home was on a farm in Sioux County, ND, near the town of Solen. At a very young age, the family moved to a farm about 30 miles west, near the town of Timmer. He attended a country school through the eighth grade. In the mid-1930s, the drought years created conditions such that farming no longer afforded a living and many farms were abandoned. The family moved to Bismarck where schooling was available for younger siblings, as the surrounding area schools were closing. Mike and an older brother worked menial jobs along with their father to support the family. Near the end of 1941, he decided to go to the state of Washington to find better working conditions and was successful in finding work in the lumber business. World War II was soon upon us, and Mike joined the Navy. He spent nearly six years at sea, mostly in the South Pacific, ports in China, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and other major islands including the Alaskan Dutch Harbor and associate islands. He also served on the east and west coasts of the US as well as on a trip through the Panama Canal.

After his honorable discharge from the service, he returned to North Dakota, soon after he applied for railroad work and attended Gale Institute, which taught telegraphy, rules, and accounting. He went to work with the ATSF in Oklahoma and after several months returned to North Dakota where he worked for Northern Pacific Railroad.

Mike made railroading his career and worked for NP, Burlington Northern, and Amtrak for 32 years. He met Dorothy Praus and the couple were married on October 24, 1950, in South Heart, ND. The couple raised four children. Mike was active in his children’s schools as PTA President and board member. He was a life member of the VFW and Knights of Columbus, as well as a member of the American Legion. He was a K of C District Deputy for one year, covering several councils and worked as membership chairman and financial secretary for his home council. His wife taught school, and both had CCD student come to their home for studies. In his retirement years, Mike assisted Pastors and Priests with funeral.

Mike is survived by his daughters, Kathleen Lee, Redmond, OR, Gloria (Robert) Nyre, St. Paul, MN, Elizabeth (Ronald) Gregoryk, Wilton, ND; and son, Stephan (Lois) Zentner, Indianapolis, IN; his grandchildren, Laura (Peter) Knudson, Jonathan (Tanya) Nyre, Gabriel (Betsy) Zentner, Michael (April) Gregoryk, Andrew (Cydnee) Gregoryk; and great-grandchildren, Carlena, Josephine, and Genevieve Knudson, Avery, Stella, and Sloane Nyre, Dillon and Evelyn Gregoryk, and Carter Geiger; and his sister, Ann Zentner.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; grandson, Ethan Ronald Gregoryk; son-in-law, Harold Lee; his parents; and his brothers and sisters.

Special thanks to Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center personnel for the loving care of our dad and to the CHI St. Alexius Hospice nurses for your gentle guidance.