Levi Simbalenko Jr., 78, Minot, died Friday, September 23, 2016 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Levi was born August 22, 1938 at Minot, North Dakota, the son of Levi Sr. and Edna (Michalenko) Simbalenko. He grew up in Kief, N.D. helping at his father's service station as well as helping at his grandfather's implement shop. Through this he developed his strong mechanical abilities. With his family's involvement in the Kief Mennonite Brethren Church, Levi developed his musical ability. He attended elementary school in Kief and graduated from Drake High School in 1956 and then attended Minot State College.

Levi was united in marriage to Eunice Pederson on December 27, 1959 at Zion Lutheran Church in Minot. Through their life's journey they resided in Minot, ND, Flagstaff, AZ, Lake Metigoshe, ND, Sedona, AZ and eventually back to Minot. They were blessed by the addition of Jodene Kay and Jeffrey Lee to their family. Together they had many adventures along the way.

Levi was employed with Bacon Signs, Lowe's Printing, The Arizona Daily Sun, Greater Northwest Publishing, Metigoshe Marine, The Red Rock News, and Franklin Printing. It has been said by friends and fellow co-workers that "Levi can fix anything."

Levi served his country in the North Dakota National Guard. He was called to active duty with the Headquarters & Service Company, 164th Engineering Battalion and was stationed at Fort Riley Kansas during the Berlin Crisis of the early 1960's.

Levi enjoyed woodworking, remodeling, building, repairing (almost anything), helping on his father's farm and boating, especially sailing with friends on Lake Sakakawea. He also enjoyed cooking and grilling, a wide variety of foods, as well as traveling, and spending time with family and friends, especially his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Minot, where he enjoyed singing with the choir for many years.

Levi's loving family includes his wife of 56 years Eunice, Minot; children: Jodene (Joseph) Robbins, Three Forks, MT and Jeffrey (Lunette) Simbalenko, Forsyth, MT; grandchildren: Tiffany (Jason) Smith, Minot and Christopher (Emily) Vigness, Manhattan, MT; great-grandchildren: Rebekah and Caleb Smith and Asher and Brodie Vigness; sisters: Florine (Cleon) Engel, Woodbury, MN and Mary Lou (Ronald) Huschen, Glendale, AZ and numerous nieces and nephews.

Levi was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 1, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Minot, ND.

Visitation: Friday, September 30, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church, Metigoshe Ministries or Salvation Army of Minot.