Eugene "Butch" Lee Zietz , 84, of Minot, died Thursday, January 2, 2014 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Eugene was born September 2, 1929 at Lansford, North Dakota, the son of Benjamin and Bertha (Spitzack) Zietz. He was raised in the Lansford area and attended school in Lansford.

He was united in marriage to Joann Pugh on January 20, 1952 in Minot. They made their home in Burlington for several years, before moving to the Minot area. Eugene was employed at United Buckingham Trucking (which became Dakota Transfer) for 28 years. He was later employed at Minot State University as a custodian for three years until he retired in 1982 due to a disability. Joann died March 24, 2007.

Eugene was a longtime member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Minot and the local Teamster's Union. He was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansford and the Minot Eagles Aerie. Butch was a hard worker and took pride in everything he did including raising 10 children and helping with his grandchildren whenever he could. Along with the joys of fishing and hunting he loved watching his children play softball and baseball. After retirement he loved gardening and doing yard work and was always happy to have a lunch date with his children or grandchildren at Charlie\'s or Lydia\'s cafe.

Eugene is survived by his loving family; children, Kathy Holmes, Shoreview, MN, Gordon (Candis) Zietz, Garrison, Kevin (Judy) Zietz, Rugby, Bruce (Colette) Zietz, Bemidji, MN, Danny (Danelle) Zietz, Minot, Dennis (LuAnn) Zietz, Stanley, Tomie (Tina) Zietz, Kenmare, Susie (Brian) George, Minot, Jamie (Lisa) Zietz, Minot, daughter in law, Sue Zietz, Garrison; grandchildren, Scott Holmes, Suzette Holmes, Andy (Amber) Zietz, Derek Zietz, Josh (Breann) Zietz, Lynette (Mike) Haggarty, Lance (Angela) Zietz, Shane Zietz, Eric Zietz, Angela Cook, Savana (Jeff) Pitcher, Tonya (Justin) Mattern, Mike (Kaia) Zietz, Megan (Chase) Getchell, Miles Zietz, Mandy Zietz, Lynden Zietz, Brock Zietz, Chelsey Zietz, Casey George, Connor George, Kenzie George, Kylee George, Wyatt ZIetz, Jordan Zietz & Zachary Zietz , 26 great grandchildren; brother, Lester (Lenore) Zietz, Underwood, ND and sister, Fern (Ed) Bradway Ridgecrest, CA, BrotherIn-Law Jim (Barb) Stanton Mpls, MN ; a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Eugene was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Joann, parents, sons, Eugene and Mike, brothers, Vernon, Chester, Arlo, Donald and John, along with sisters, Eleanor, Bernie, Doris, Violet and Lillian and great grandson Noah Haggerty.

Funeral service : Monday, January 6, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment : Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation : Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.