Leonard Simon Zilka

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Leonard S. Zilka, 79, of Grand Forks, ND passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at Sheyenne Crossings Care Center in West Fargo, ND.

Leonard Simon Zilka was born on October 3, 1944, in St. Paul, MN. He was third of thirteen children born to Simon (Sam) and Dorothy (Liebl) Zilka. He attended country school in the one room Klier School in Rural Park Rapids, MN until grade 7 and graduated from Park Rapids High School in Park Rapids, MN in 1963. After graduation he attended Staples Area Vocational School for a one-year course of the Advanced Program in Agriculture.

 Following his time at Staples, he worked on the family farm and in May 1965, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until 1969. During his time in the Navy, Leonard had a tour of duty in Vietnam from November 1966 to December 1967 where he served as a corpsman flying med-evac missions while assigned to the Marines. Upon returning to the United States, he finished out his service at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA.

 After the service, Leonard attended the University of North Dakota and met his future wife. On May 29, 1971, Leonard married Renee M. Heinze at St. Michael’s Church in Grand Forks, ND. They started their life together and made their home in Crookston, MN while he worked for the Crookston Cattle Co. and later moved to Maple Lake, MN where he worked for the Wright Co. Soil and Water Conservation District in Buffalo, MN finally moving to Warren, MN in 1976 where he had recently transferred to the Marshall Co. Soil and Water Conservation District. Leonard finished his career with the Marshall Co. Highway Dept. before retiring in January 2011. Leonard was a devout Catholic, lead and assisted with praying of the rosary at his residence, being part of a prayer chain group along with being a member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion for many years.

 Following his retirement, Leonard and Renee moved to Grand Forks, ND to be closer to family. He loved spending quiet time reading and collecting his thoughts, going on nature walks on the land he grew up on, hunting with his son, brothers and nephews, yearly trips with his daughter to view the fall colors, spending time with family, and especially his grandchildren.

Left to mourn his passing is son, Jason (Kristin) Zilka of Grand Forks, ND, daughter, Erin Zilka of Fargo, ND; four grandchildren, Sarah (Alex Rask), Emily, Robin, and Jacob Zilka all of Grand Forks, ND; siblings: Dorothy Klier, Tom (Lynnette) Zilka, Theresa Keller, Mary (Bob) DeCrans, Francis (Julie) Zilka, Ed (Sharon) Zilka, Joe (Florence) Zilka, Christine Dickson, Margaret Rairdon, and Pete (Janet) Zilka along with several nieces and nephews.

 He is preceded in death by his Wife of nearly 50 years, Renee Zilka; parents, Simon (Sam) and Dorothy Zilka; brothers: Steven and William (Bill), brothers-in-law: Marcellus Klier, Robbie Keller, and Bill Dickson; sisters-in-law: Kathleen Zilka, Shirley Zilka, and Janet Zilka, Renee’s parents, Henry and Ida Heinze; brother-in-law, James Heinze and sister-in-law Georgia Heinze.

A public visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11:00am on Monday, July 8, 2024, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks.

 The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00am on Monday, July 8, 2024, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks.

It was Leonard’s wish that his body be donated to Science at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Grand Forks, ND.

 Interment will take place at a future date at Memorial Park South Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.

 The family requests any memorials be designated to Holy Family / St. Mary’s Catholic School in Grand Forks, ND or to HOPE, Inc. – Adaptive Sports and Recreation in Moorhead, MN.

The family wishes to especially thank the care team and staff from Eventide at Sheyenne Crossings, West Fargo, ND for their helpfulness, professionalism, and care of Leonard while he was at your care center.