Ralph Zent, 89, Dickinson, died Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Ralph’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Keith Streifel as the celebrant. Entombment will follow at the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation will be on Monday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., Monday with Deacon Ron Keller presiding.
Ralph Zent was born June 4, 1926 at Regent, the son of Joseph and Florentina (Diebel) Zent. He was raised and educated near the home place.
Ralph was united in marriage to Mina Miller on September 11, 1945, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, south of Richardton. Together they farmed and made their home southeast of Dickinson until 2001, at which time they moved into Dickinson. Dad’s belief was that farming, despite it’s hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a man can spend his days on this earth. He believed when a man grows old, and sums up his days, he should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he’s lived. He believed in farming, because it makes all this possible.
He received numerous awards from the Soil Conservation Service, which included numerous Certificates of Achievements, and the Central SCD Soil Achievement contest for Wildlife Management in 1984. He was instrumental in the organization of the National Farmers Organization (NFO), and also was one of the first producers in the breeding of Simmental cattle. He also supplemented the farm income by planting trees for Stark and Billings Counties for 25 plus years. Prior to this he was president of the school board at Shipley School District.
Ralph is survived by his nine children, Shirley (Mike) Gerhart, Dickinson, Arnie (Linda) Zent, Bismarck, Joey Zent, Dickinson, Paulette (Rod) Wenko, Dickinson, Mel (Jan) Zent, Dickinson, Earl (Cheryl) Zent, Eden Prairie, Minn., Gary (Rae Jean) Zent, Dickinson, Connie (Dan) Witchey, Dickinson, and Jerry (Carol) Zent, Bismarck; 20 grandchildren, Mike, Jr. (Jennifer) Gerhart, Shelly (Corey) Ziman, Michelle (Chet) Halvorson, Brandon (Jocelyn) Zent, Brian (Christina) Wenko, Jason (Melinda) Wenko, Mollie (Shawn) Schulz, Jonathan (Rebecca) Zent, Marisa (Jackson) Armstrong, Michael Riesinger, Ryan (Bria) Zent, Eric (Michelle) Zent, Tiffany Zent, Adam Zent, Averee Zent, Karen Witchey, Jeremy Witchey, Nicole (Jason) Cook, Lance (Brianna Miller) Zent, and Jena (Jarrod) McKay; 25 great-grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Betty Zent and Eleanor Zent.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mina on October 21, 2009; infant son, Ralph; son, Marvin; daughter, Darlene; grandson, Wade Zent; great-granddaughter, Amanda Lee Zent; great-grandson, Bennett Zent; and all of his siblings.
