Geraldine Marie Koenig was born Christmas morning 1923 in Braddock, ND, to Art and Mabel (Partridge) Koenig. She grew up there and graduated from Braddock High School in 1941. She attended Dakota Business College in Fargo and got a job at the Bank of North Dakota.

In April of 1948 she married Frank Joseph Zent. After 20 years following Frank to stateside army posts he retired and they returned to Bismarck. Frank passed away in November of 1996. When her children were grown she began a part-time job as assistant secretary at Northridge Elementary School, a job she held for 20 years before retiring.

Gerry was an avid bowler, league bowling well into her seventies. She truly enjoyed traveling to the state and national contests, as she treasured the times with the friends she had made.

She is survived by her children, Kathy (Nels) Peterson of Lakota, ND, and Kirby (Cindy) Zent of Watertown, SD; 6 grandsons, Jordan (Rachel) Peterson, Joshua (Amy) Peterson, Jared Peterson, Joseph Peterson, Cameron Zent, and Colin Zent; 1 great-granddaughter, Taylor Marie Peterson; 1 brother, Tracy (Adele) Koenig of Baldwin, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

Gerry was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her older brother, Vern Koenig.

Private family services will be held at a later date at the North Dakota State Veterans Cemetery near Mandan, ND.

Memorials are suggested to the Lakota Dollars for Scholars, the State Veterans Cemetery, or the Medora Foundation.