Lenore Zietz

Bismarck

Lenore Mae (Benton) Zietz, 87, Bismarck, ND (former resident of Underwood, ND), was called to eternal rest on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in her home at St. Gabriel’s Benedictine Living Center surrounded by her loved ones. Funeral service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Underwood, ND on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 10:30AM. Burial will follow in the Coleharbor Cemetery, rural Coleharbor, ND. Visitation will be at the church on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 5:00PM-7:00PM and resume one hour prior on Tuesday.

Lenore was born on April 2, 1939, in Kenmare, ND to Earl and Jennie Benton, she was the fourth of 5 brothers and 3 sisters, whom she adored and considered her best friends. She grew up in Minot, ND and attended Minot Model, developing her passion for music, playing the French horn in band and orchestra.

In 1956 she married the love of her life, Lester Zietz, and together they raised and loved 8 children, 30 grandchildren, soon to be 37 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. They began raising their children in Burlington, ND and then moved to Underwood where Lenore was active in St. John’s LWML, using her sense of humor to put quotes on the church sign, a city librarian, and a bookkeeper for their trailer court business.

She enjoyed ceramics, sewing, plastic canvas, cooking, baking, her morning coffee, and countless coffee hours with friends and family, including years of gathering at the local drug store. She would feed the squirrels and birds while she watched them eat through the window (filled with the “junk” that Brent told her not to). She loved flowers, rocks, and never took God’s beauty for granted. Country drives were a favorite activity, and she never turned down an opportunity to go out for lunch.

She was a community leader, instrumental in organizing a Brownie Girl Scout Troop for Underwood. Lenore was a member of the Underwood Rural Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She was an avid reader, historian, and collector of sentimental items, but most of all, she was dedicated to her family in the most selfless, hard-working, and loving way, ensuring everyone always had their needs, not hers, met.

Lenore and Lester gardened and canned together, looking forward to every Sunday gathering with family. They made huge breakfasts after church and prepared Sunday dinner every week. Her face lit up with the arrival of each person. Lester “plunked her down and left her” in December of 2018. She remained alone in her big yellow house until December of 2023 and then moved briefly to assisted living before her final earthly adventure at St. Gabriel’s in Bismarck, where she was readily welcomed, gaining a second family and treated with love and respect.

Lenore had a deep love for Jesus and faithfulness that she was driven to instill in her family. She enjoyed her devotions and Bible studies while faithfully searching to understand God’s word and draw close to Jesus. She was a lover of gospel music, often listening to her favorites including the Gaithers and Alan Jackson. She was also self-taught playing the organ. If you were lucky enough to hear her without her knowing, she had the voice of an angel.

She was loving, kind, and shared her wit and sense of humor with others. She had a gift to make everyone feel as though they were her favorite.

We are forever blessed to have mom in our lives. She has touched each of us in ways we never thought possible. Her heart of pure gold and memories will live in each of us. We will never forget her unconditional love and lessons, teaching us the importance of family and forgiveness.

Many times, when our games would get a little too competitive, she would threaten us to shape up. She truly was our best friend and now we are excited for her as she enters her next glorious journey completely pain free and worry free as she reunites with those, she has been deeply missing, finally her well-deserved peace.

Lenore is survived by her sons, Brian (Tricia) Zietz of Marion, MT, Bob (Deitta) Zietz and Barry Zietz of Underwood, ND, Blaine (Beth) Zietz of Aitkin, MN; daughters, Brenda (Lloyd) Hultberg and Bonnie (Terry) Landenberger of Bismarck, ND, Becki (Frederick) Wilson of Underwood, ND; 27 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Other survivors include stepmother, Helen Benton of Velva, ND; sisters, Eline Kunkel of Minot, ND, Iris (Jack) Galligan of Burtrum, MN; brothers, Perrie (Pattie) Benton of Minot, ND, Gary (Gloria) Benton of Arizona, Bradley (Rhonda) Benton of Fargo, ND, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Lenore was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Lester Zietz; son, Brent Zietz; grandchildren, Beau, Jason, and Jessica Zietz; great-grandchild, Melody Zietz; daughters-in-law, Audrey Zietz and Emily Zietz; brothers, Warren (Mary) Benton and Ronald Benton; sister, Vivian (Wayne) Bradwisch; brother-in-law, Lannie Kunkel; and her parents, Earl Benton and Jennie (Boe-Benton) Lang; stepfather, John Lang.

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 16, 2026.