Gregory "Greg" Zenker, age 60 of Turtle Lake, ND died Friday, March 25, 2011 in his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM Wednesday, March 30th at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Turtle Lake with Rev. Charlie A. Heidt, celebrant, and Rev. Chris Walter as concelebrant. Interment will be in the Turtle Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday at St. Catherine's Church with a vigil service at 7:00 PM.

Greg was born on May 28, 1950 to Arthur and Elizabeth (Geis) Zenker in Dickinson, ND. Most of his childhood was spent in Bismarck, ND where he graduated from Bismarck High School. Greg lived in Bismarck until his retirement from the Bismarck Police Department in 2001 following 22 years of service. Greg married the love of his life, Dianne Walter, on June 25, 1971. They raised two children that were very dear to him, a son Greg and a daughter Shannon. In 2001, he moved to Turtle Lake and was working at the Falkirk Grain Elevator at the time of his death. After moving to Turtle Lake, Greg and Dianne immediately became very involved at St. Catherine's Church and the community. Greg became Mayor of Turtle Lake in 2006. He enjoyed representing the city and working for a community he was proud of. Greg loved many things, such as wood working projects, butchering in his garage, breakfast at Bev's Café, and saving things he knew he would use someday. He was once active with the Boy Scouts, Explorers, and the Blue Lake Association. Greg loved Blue Lake, it was the place where he spent the last 30 years relaxing and enjoying the things he loved most, his family and friends. Everyone knew that if he was needed he would be there in an instant to help out. He attended more bowling tournaments, choir and band concerts, football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer games and dance performances that one even thought possible. The great joys in his life were his nine grandchildren and he was proud of the fact that he was the first grandparent to hold all nine when they were born. He had specific names he called each one: Jason "side kick", Brian "itty bitty buddy", Kayla "angel eyes", Sarah "precious", Laura "Laura Lee", Zachary "tiger", Jessica "princess", Benjamin "Ben-Jam-In", and Jonathan "JJ". All of his grandchildren loved spending time with grandpa. He always made sure he was the loudest one cheering at all their events and gave the biggest hugs. Kids loved Greg and he quickly was referred to as "gramps" or "grandpa" by many adopted grandkids on baseball teams and bowling teammates of his grandkids. He had a way of making everyone feel special and will be dearly missed. Grandpa loved to ask "Who loves you?" and he always smiled at the response "you". Grandpa, we are now asking "Who loves you?" and we are shouting "WE DO"! Love you Grandpa!

Greg is survived by his cherished family: His wife of 39 years, Dianne Zenker of Turtle Lake; two children, Greg (Stephanie) Zenker of Bismarck, Shannon Schauer of Mandan, nine grandchildren, Zachary, Jessica, Benjamin, and Jonathan, all of Bismarck, Jason (Morgan), Brian, Kayla, Sarah and Laura, all of Mandan; three sisters, Annette (Gary) Broeckel of Mandan, Melinda (Bob) Balanga of Lincoln, ND, & Elizabeth "Liz" Belgarde of Pollock, SD; two brothers, Gerald Zenker of Bismarck, & Gary Lynn (Denise) Zenker of Bismarck; many nieces and nephews, and many "adoptive" grandchildren.
Greg was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers (Denise, Duane, Terry, Thomas and Roger), one sister (Dorothy), and his mother and father-in-law (Sebastian and Anna Walter).

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Catherine's Catholic Church Building Fund at PO Box 113, Turtle Lake, ND 58575.