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Walter Alton Zorn • 1917 - 2011 Walter was born on October 17, 1917 to Ray and Cora Zorn, on the family's South Prairie homestead, near Minot. He grew up with a love of horses and good cars. He was a third generation Burlington Northern Railroad employee with a dedicated work ethic that had him servicing trains during the cold winter nights without complaint. Walter was also an honored veteran of WWII, having served for three years in the jungles of New Guinea as a tech sergeant in charge of parachutes, life-saving equipment and first aid. In 1941, Walter married Violet Mertes, and they spent 70 years together as loving partners. They raised three children: Beverly (Harold) Maupin, Richard (Mimi) Zorn, and Connie (Mike) Pepper. Walt and Vi were dedicated parents and grandparents and spent much of their vacation and retirement time visiting and catching up with family. They are proud grandparents to nine grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren. Walter was known for his quiet, steady, love and dedication as noted by one of his grandchildren. The best evidence of these qualities was seen in his devotion to his wife Violet. In his everyday life, he was dependable and hard working. His fun was often tied to what others would call work. He took pride in his yard, and the home that he built from the ground up. He built several cottages as second homes and spent enjoyable time maintaining them. While at his lake cabin, he enjoyed fishing for walleye and socializing with the Nehring, Mertes and Ross families. Walt and Vi loved to travel and took bus tours around the states to places they never thought they would visit. They spent extended vacations in Hawaii with Walt's sister, Evelyn and her husband, and also made frequent trips to Arizona during winter months to spend time with Vi's family. Their most exciting adventure was a trip to Europe to visit their son and family. Walt and Vi were able to stay in their beloved home on the river bank for fifty-five years due to loving support from family, friends, care givers, and very special neighbors like the Malsom family. Thanks to all who helped them live their dream. Walter is survived by his wife, Violet, his three children, and his loving sister Evelyn Stotler. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Doris Hanel. A funeral mass was held at Saints Francis & Clare Catholic Church in Greenwood, Indiana on Friday, August 26 at 1:00 p.m. The recent flood in Minot was a reminder of Walt's valiant efforts to save his family home during the 1969 flood. With that in mind the family asks that in place of flowers, memorial donations be made in his name to the Red Cross or other Minot charities for flood relief.
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Walter Alton Zorn, 93, a lifelong Minot, North Dakota resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 23, in Greenwood, Indiana.