Renee Zilka

To view a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/Ty6bqBYeMWM 

Renee M. Zilka, 70, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND

Renee Marie Heinze was born on April 15, 1950 in Valley City, ND at Mercy Hospital, to Henry and Ida (Fiebiger) Heinze.  She attended school in Valley City, ND and in 1965 moved to Grand Forks and later graduated from St. James High School. While attending The University of North Dakota, she met her future husband, Leonard.  On May 29, 1971, Renee married Leonard S. Zilka at St. Michael’s Church in Grand Forks, ND.  They started their life together and made their home in Crookston, MN and later moving to Maple Lake, MN before finally moving to Warren, MN in 1976. She worked for almost 38 years at Boardsons’s which later became Dale’s Foods.  During her time there she met some of her closest friends and worked in several departments with her assisting in the start-up, running of and later managing the bakery in 1980.  Following her retirement, Renee and Leonard moved to Grand Forks, ND in 2015 to be closer to family.

Renee was a member of Altar Society at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and many other committees.  She was fond of Bingo and would go regularly with her friends on Friday nights to the Warren American Legion.  She loved spending time working on puzzles, reading, crafting, and visiting with her friends and family. She was especially fond of her grandchildren and looked forward to attending the Marshall Co. Fair with them each year.  With all that could be on her plate at times, she always had time for a phone call, make meals or help in any way she could. In her free time, she also was very fond of her Kindle which she spent time on every day.

Left to mourn her passing is her husband of nearly 50 years, Leonard of Grand Forks, son, Jason (Kristin) Zilka of Grand Forks, ND, daughter, Erin Zilka of Fargo, ND; four grandchildren, Sarah, Emily, Robin, and Jacob Zilka all of Grand Forks, ND; one niece, Karen (Dan) Krupovage of Alamogordo, NM. Brothers and Sisters in-law, Dorothy Klier, Bill (Jan) Zilka, Tom (Lynnette) Zilka, Theresa Keller, Mary (Bob) DeCrans, Francis (Julie) Zilka, Ed (Sharon) Zilka, Joe (Florence) Zilka, Christine Dickson, Margaret Rairdon, Pete (Janet) Zilka along with several nieces and nephews.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, Henry and Ida Heinze; Leonard’s parents, Simon and Dorothy Zilka; brother, James Heinze; sister in-law Georgia Heinze, and brother in-law Steven Zilka.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, February 1, 2021, at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks.  Interment will be at Memorial Park South Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.  Fr. James Meyer of Holy Family Catholic Church officiating.

A public visitation will be open from 9:30 to 10:30am on Monday, February 1, 2021.

The family requests any memorials be designated to Holy Family / St. Mary’s Catholic School in Grand Forks, ND.