MICHAEL R. ZENTZ

Michael Ray Zentz, resident of Binford, ND passed away Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Fargo Essentia Hospital surrounded by family.

Michael (Mike) was born to Oliver and Violet (Johnson) Zentz on September 14, 1951. He was the only boy among five sisters and grew up on the family farm outside of Binford, ND.

He attended a one room schoolhouse (Willow #4) for three years before bussing began to Binford Public School. Mike was a proud 4-H member, played high school basketball, and graduated with the class of 1969 from BHS. He attended one year at Mayville University before moving to Fargo where he became a welder for Steiger Tractor, a part-time bartender at Lornie's bar, and earned a yellow belt in Karate. Mike became a member of the Ironworker’s Local 512 Union. Some work projects included Red Wing MN, ND, the air traffic control tower at Hector Airport, grain elevator in Binford, and the coal gasification plant in Beulah, ND.

As an older-than-average student, Mike attained a degree in accounting from the University of Mary while working as a part-time mail carrier in Bismarck. For a time, Mike was a card dealer, and accountant at the Spirit Lake Casino near Devils Lake and eventually retired as a full-time rural mail carrier out of the Carrington, ND post office. Obviously, He was a man of many skills and talents!

Throughout the years, Mike enjoyed roller skating, playing softball, riding motorcycles, snowmobiling, scuba diving, deer hunting, spear fishing, golfing, and playing cards and board games with his many nieces and nephews. 

 Mike was an active member of the community through his involvement with the Binford City Council, Wildlife Club, and the Binford Senior Citizens.

 Mike always supported his family and especially his parents as he served as their primary caregiver over the past two decades. He is and will be greatly missed as he was always a reliable son, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend to many. 

 Michael is survived by his mother (Violet Zentz), and sisters Marlene (Dennis) Dahl, Lincoln, ND, Mavis (Doug) Brown, Lacey, WA, Mary Zentz, Binford, ND, Margery (Dave) Johnston, Colorado Springs, CO, and Michelle Zentz and Larry Anderson, Fargo, ND. Two nephews and five nieces: Jeffrey (Ginger) Dahl - Haley and Joey Metzel; Daniel (Jessica) Brown - Austin Bates, Hailey Cahill, Jacob Cahill, Wyatt Cahill; Stephanie Dahl (Joel) Honeyman - Grant, Jackson, McKinley; Marcia (Phil) Zitzelman - Philip, Matthew; Kathy (Steve) Harris - Alexandra, Lila, Jessica, Stephen Jr (Stephen), Brandon; London; Jennifer Kaylene Walden Zentz; Melissa Johnston - Katelynn (Jeffrey) Martin, Zachary Reichart, Nicholas, twins - Oliver & Marshall . Great-great uncle to Josaiah Martin.

Also survived by his aunt Maxine (Gordon) Bunde Johnson and beloved cousins: Zentz family - Rodney (Teri); Judy (Doug) Tufte, Phyllis (Duane) Tufte, Janet Cadwell, Donna Rickford and Bud Pittinger; Ricky, Nicki (Dave) Kvislen, Mickey (Jamie) and Dickey (Lizy); and Timothy Heckelsmiller. Edwardson family - Maureen (Ross) McConnell, Jana (Elwood) Mjor, Peggy (Roger) Mayfield; and Johnson family Mike Johnson; Mary Ann Johnson; Linda (Fred) Huber; and in-laws- Gail Johnson; and Susan McCune. 

Preceded in death by father Oliver Zentz; uncles and aunts Harold (Marion Edwardson), Lester (Jean), and Maynard (Dorothy) Zentz, Oliver (Nadine) and Gordon Johnson; and cousins Gary (Christie) Zentz, Cindy Edwardson Lysholm; Leslie D. Zentz, in-law- Chuck Cadwell; Vicki Heckelsmiller ; and Dennis Johnson; Patrick Johnson; Tom (TJ) Johnson; Johnson; James H. Johnson; nephew- Douglas LeRoy Brown Jr.; great nephew- Isaiah Harris.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mike's memory to your local 4-H Group.