LeRoy Zimbelman, 86, of Oakes, ND, passed into his Father's arms on June 3, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. He will be greatly missed, but his integrity, love and amazing sense of humor will always be remembered.

LeRoy Zimbelman, son of Lee and Ida (Gemar) Zimbelman, was born December 3, 1926 southwest of Oakes, where he grew up. He attended rural school through the 8th grade and then Oakes High School until he was seriously hurt in a farm accident.

He was united in marriage to Lorraine Rasmussen on January 8th, 1950. LeRoy worked as a mechanic at the Chevrolet Garage in Oakes for the first five years of marriage, then bought the Rasmussen family farm, where he raised his family for 25 years. During LeRoy's farming years, he continued to work as a mechanic in town between growing seasons.

In 1982 LeRoy and Lorraine moved into town, where LeRoy was employed at the IH Implement before going to work with his best friend, Budd Larson at Larson Sales. LeRoy and Budd worked together 30 years. He enjoyed all the people who came to the shop and all the challenges of old tractors and Budd's special projects. LeRoy was a life-long member of St. John's Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; a son, Alan (Yolanda) Zimbelman, Oakes, ND; a daughter, Karen (Kip) Fulghum, Colorado Springs, CO; a brother, Elmer Zimbelman, Oakes, ND; four grandsons, Lee (Shari) Zimbelman, Fargo, ND, Kelly (Jill) Zimbelman, Las Vegas, NV, Brent (Kristi) Zimbelman, Fargo, ND and Brian Fulghum, Gunnison, CO; one great-grandson, Daman Zimbelman, Austin, MN; and one great-great-granddaughter, Blake. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Allisen, two sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law.

A memorial service will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church in Oakes on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m., with burial to follow at the Oakes View Cemetery.

There will be a gathering for friends to greet LeRoy's family on Friday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Dahlstrom Funeral Home in Oakes.