Henry Zolondek

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/C1Pmgy4KQFE 

Henry B Zolondek, 77, of Ardoch, ND passed away on September 6th 2026 at Valley Transitions in Grand Forks, ND after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Henry was born in Grafton, ND to Barney and Mary (Briske) Zolondek of Ardoch, ND. He was the youngest of the family. He attended a one room school house near their farm for grades 1-6 then transferred to Midway Public School for grades 7-12. He graduated from Midway Public School in 1967. After high school, he attended Lake Region Junior College for a time before returning home to begin his career of farming.

Henry met the love of his life, Marsha Fortman, in 1973 when they were set up on a blind date. Excited to begin their lives together, the two were united in marriage at Sharon Lutheran Church on March 2, 1974. They made their home on a farm near Ardoch, ND.

Henry and Marsha had two children, Christina and Scott. The family of four spent many summers on the road enjoying yearly family vacations. Most often these times were spent in the mountains or by lakes as Henry loved these areas, especially the Black Hills, Yellowstone and Lake of the Woods.

Henry had a soft spot for dogs, especially labs, and for almost his entire life had at least one dog (and even up to four) on the farm. Whether fully trained hunting dogs or strays in need of a home, he loved them all. His yellow lab, Mike, was a companion for many years during his cancer journey.

Henry was a farmer/rancher for most of his life, growing several different crops including potatoes, beets, grains, corn and beans and raising cattle and bison. In addition, he was also a talented welder. He converted several trucks to driving tri-axles and made countless drive shafts throughout the years in his welding shop.

Henry served on the Levant Township board for over 30 years. He appreciated serving his community in this capacity.

Henry had many hobbies. He enjoyed riding horses, either during deer hunts, cattle drives or just out on trails enjoying the scenery. He also was very knowledgeable about gunsmithing and could assemble a gun from small components and still provide amazing accuracy. In addition, Henry was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He spent many fall days pheasant hunting in western ND and fall/winter days hunting mule deer and elk in the mountains of Wyoming. Probably his favorite time of the year was the North Dakota November deer season. Fishing for walleye at Devils Lake or Lake of the Woods was a favorite as well. Henry and Marsha spent many years at Eastbay Campground on Devils Lake.

Henry will always be remembered for his love of family and the great life he provided them. His humor will be especially missed. He faced adversity with courage. He battled cancer head-on for many years until he could no longer do so. And then, when he decided to stop all treatments, apologized to his family for the sadness his passing would cause them. His family could not have asked for a better husband and father and his memory and legacy will continue to live on through them. His family will love him and miss him every day.

Henry was proceeded in death by his parents, Barney and Mary Zolondek, his brothers James and Daniel Zolondek and his sister Amelia Gerszewski. Also proceeding him in death are brothers-in-law Medard Gerszewski, Gerald Fortman and Lanny Fortman and nephews Francis Gerszewski and Michael Gerszewski. Henry is survived by Marsha, his wife of 52 years, along with his daughter Christina (Dever Wollmuth) and son Scott Zolondek.

Funeral service will be held Monday, September 14, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Amundson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the start of the service. Burial will take place immediately after the funeral at St. John’s Cemetery in Ardoch, ND.