Jerry Zahn

Jerry Zahn, 55, of Lake Metigoshe, passed away on August 19th, 2024, after a long and courageous battle against pancreatic cancer.

Jerry was born on September 24th,1968 to Ray and Ilene Zahn in Bottineau, North Dakota. After graduating from Bottineau High School in 1986, Jerry worked briefly at the Bottineau Jack and Jill and later with Wold Engineering where he spent most of his career on the road with the survey crews.

Jerry met Kim Pritchard in the summer of 2002 when she came home from Florida to help her mom and dad at the Birchwood Steakhouse at Lake Metigoshe. They were married at sunrise on February 12th, 2004, by a ‘Surfer Dude officiant’ on Ormond Beach, Florida. That weekend, they attended the Daytona 500 NASCAR Race and from that time on, Jerry had a lifelong passion for cars and spending time at the ocean.

Jerry and Kim took over the Birchwood Steakhouse from her parents and for 18 years they owned and operated the business. When not working at Wold’s, Jerry helped in the kitchen, reception and bar as well as maintaining the landscape. No one could run the dishwasher faster than Jerry and the Birchwood property was renowned for its beautiful lawn.

A very strong family man, Jerry’s favorite pastime was shooting pool with his brother Craig and family gatherings with his brothers and sisters. He also loved everything automotive….cars, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs. He took meticulous care of his machines, and they were always gleaming!

Jerry was preceded in death by his father Raymond Zahn, mother Ilene Zahn, brother Craig Zahn and mother-in-law Ann Pritchard. He is survived by his wife Kim; father-in-law Floyd Pritchard; sister Janis and Myron Allen; brother Brian and Connie Zahn; sister Sharla Zahn; sister-in-law Twila Zahn; sister Lynette and Brian Otto; stepson Scott and Emily Pritchard; sister-in-law Gina and Ray Masbad; sister-in-law Pamela and Mike Egan; and grandsons Evan and Jeremy Pritchard. Jerry is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Life gathering at The Birchwood Steakhouse on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Turtle Mountain Cancer Support Incorporated in Bottineau at https://turtlemountaincancer.com/donate-now/