Renate Zalomsky

Giessen, Germany

Renate Zalomsky, 74, formerly of Butte and Minot, ND, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, in Giessen, Germany. She left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew her across two continents.

Born on February 20, 1952, in Wieseck, Germany, to the late Heinz and Margot (Moos) Pangritz, Renate grew up with a deep appreciation for her heritage. After completing her education, she began her professional career working for Eli Lilly. In 1971, she married Earl Zalomsky, a member of the U.S. Army, and embarked on a new chapter in Butte, North Dakota, in 1972. It was there they welcomed their daughter.

Renate was perhaps best known for her painting of Bauernmalerei, the traditional German art of folk painting. Her precise brushwork and vibrant floral designs captured the soul of her German roots, and her pieces remain cherished family treasures.

In 2001, Renate returned to Wieseck to care for her mother, though she remained a frequent traveler, constantly crossing the Atlantic to bridge the distance between her two worlds. She was a woman who valued the bonds of family above all else.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother, Reiner Pangritz.

Renate’s legacy lives on through her daughter, Jolene (Allen) Nechiporenko and her two grandchildren, Nicholas Nechiporenko and Natalie Nechiporenko, all of Butte, ND. Her ashes were laid to rest in her hometown of Wieseck, Germany.

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 17, 2026.