Laurence Zook

Dickinson, North Dakota: Laurence Robert Zook, age 87, of Beach, North Dakota, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Dickinson. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Monday, July 18, 2011 at the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Beach. A Vigil service will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, July 18, 2011 in the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Beach. A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beach with Reverend Father Russell Kovash officiating. Rite of Committal will be held at the Beach City Cemetery. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Beach has been entrusted with arrangements. Laurence Robert was born at the family farm 7 miles southeast of Beach, on November 22, 1923. Laurence was the first child born to parents Frank and Elizabeth (Kramer) Zook. He attended country elementary school and graduated from Beach High School with the class of 1942. Laurence loved the land that he farmed and dedicated his life to farming. Laurence bought his first tractor, a 12 HP John Deere Model H; when he was 18 years old thus retiring Barney the horse that had stepped on his feet too many times. On October 5, 1951, Laurence was united in marriage to Ardys Trollope in Wibaux, Montana. They lived on their farm southeast of Beach where they raised their two daughters, Laurie and Wendi. Laurence and Ardys were married 56 years, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with many of their family and friends present in August of 2001. Ardys preceded him in death in 2008. Laurence was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beach and a lifetime member of the Elks. He served on the Golden Valley County Fair Board and Beach Civil Township Board and was the President of the Historical Society of Beach for ten years. Laurence was good at fixing old things and making them run again. In particular, Laurence liked restoring antique tractors and cars with his most notable projects being a 1926 Model 18-36 Hart Parr tractor, a 1907 Model 30-60 Hart-Parr tractor and a 1926 Ford Model T-Touring car. Laurence corresponded with restoration enthusiasts all over the United States while seeking parts and instruction manuals for the Hart-Parr and Model T. Laurence even received a significant amount of help from a librarian at Stanford University. For many years he exhibited these vehicles in the Golden Valley County Fair parade, including driving the Hart-Parr at the fairgrounds and participating in the tractor pull. Laurence liked going to Threshing Bees and watching antique tractor shows on TV. Laurence’s winter hobby was leaded stained glass work. He made many pieces but specialized in lamp shades and angels. He made so many stained glass angels he earned the nickname “Angel Man”. Laurence enjoyed being with his family and especially loved time spent with his grandchildren. Laurence was preceded in death by his wife, Ardys; his parents; and his sister Frances. Laurence is survived by his two daughters, Laurie (Lance) Bader of Cary, North Carolina and Wendi (John) Nusbickel of Boca Raton, Florida; three grandchildren, Nicole and Natalie Bader and Alex Nusbickel; one sister, Doris Boyd of Campbell, California; two brothers, Joe Zook of Bismarck, North Dakota and Bernard Zook of West Layfayette, Indiana; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding him in death were his wife, Ardys, his parents, and his sister Frances.

Laurence Zook

November 22, 1923 - July 19, 2011

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Laurence Zook

November 22, 1923 - July 19, 2011

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support