Frank Richard Lenzmeier

Mass of Christian Burial: https://vimeo.com/event/4869942

Vigil Service: https://vimeo.com/event/4868245

Tribute Video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/JRR7XHFBST9PQPTG

Born on his mother's birthday, by the time all his siblings had arrived, Frank had become the "middle" child. The siblings referred to him as "the Bridge" between the older and younger children of Frank Stephan and Marjorie Lee (Miller) Lenzmeier. He was further singled out as the only pair of "true blue eyes" in his parent's brood of nine children.

He was raised on the family farm at Wahpeton, ND, attended parochial school and graduated from Wahpeton High School. During high school he was active in the Future Farmers of America organization and took part in several school plays. At the end of high school he served with the North Dakota National Guard 957th Field Artillery Battalion, which assisted the Fargo community in the aftermath of the 1957 tornado.

Frank married Elaine H. Tabor on May 31, 1958 in Wahpeton, ND. After leaving the family farm Frank ran a service station with a partner in Breckenridge, MN. He then went to work for the Great Northern Railway where he served as local chairman of the Switchman Union of North America.

In 1969, Frank's family moved to West Fargo, ND and by this time it included five sons. For three years Frank served as Fargo Division Safety Chairman on the railroad. In 1972 he was elected to the West Fargo City Commission. During his time on the commission he served as liaison to the Metro-Council of Governments, the organization formed to ensure cohesive planning among the cities of Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Dilworth. In 1976 Frank began Lenzmeier Trucking, Inc. in West Fargo and then resigned from the railroad in 1977.

On June 24, 1977 Frank married Darla J Jones in Fargo, ND. Frank and Darla have one daughter, Jerica Lynn. During the late 1970's and early 1980's Frank also built homes under the names of LM and LBL Development in West Fargo. He was also active in Compassionate Friends. For several years he served as president and board member of Holy Cross Cemetery Association. As an advocate for seniors, Frank was president of the West Fargo Area Community Program for many years. He was a longtime friend of Bill W and Doctor Bob.

Frank retired in 2005 and continued his many interests in the community. He served on the West Fargo Planning and Zoning Commission. Frank was very active in his church where he served on the pastoral council for Holy Cross Catholic Church and was very active in the RCIA program that instructs people in the catholic faith. He also enjoyed traveling and spending as much time as possible with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. You always knew Frank was coming your way because of his soft whistling that preceded him.

He is survived by his wife, Darla; three sons, Tim (Jody), Celina, TX, Mark (Mary), West Fargo, ND, David (Stacey), Reiles Acres, ND; a daughter, Jerica (Joey) Coleman, West Fargo, ND; sixteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, four sisters; Marjorie (William D) Glover, Batesville, AR, Kathleen (Robert) Creighton, West Fargo, ND, Michelle (Paxon) Keates, Ventnor, NJ, LeeAnn (Paul) Folden, Wahpeton, ND and brother-in-law Lynn Oberg.

He was preceded in death by sons Frank Jeffrey and Michael Scott Lenzmeier, his father and mother, his brother Gene and three sisters Joanne Cahill, Judith Howard and Melanie Oberg.