Donald L. Zundel Jr.

Donald Zundel Jr., 71, Bismarck, died September 8, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family, after living two years with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Don was born in 1954 to Donald and Kathleen "Katy" Zundel in Pensacola, Florida. He was raised and educated in Redfield, South Dakota, and earned his Eagle Scout. Don graduated from Jamestown College in 1976 with a degree in education, where he also competed in track and cross country. Don earned a master’s degree in technology in education from Columbia University in 1984.

Don’s loving family includes his mother, Kathleen Zundel; his wife of 49 years, ReNay (Vander Vorst); daughter, Erica (Corey) Hager and their children Kya, Gavin, Andrew, Brendan, and Jobe, Mandan; and daughter, Caitlyn (Charles) Hager and their children Mason, Isaac, and Caroline, Mandan; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bob (Kristen) Vander Vorst and Ronda (Jim) Mellon.

Don and ReNay’s love for adventure lead them to live in Missoula, Montana; Petersburg, Juneau and Kodiak, Alaska; New York City, New York; Santa Rosa, California; winters in Eleuthera, Bahamas; and Bismarck, North Dakota. Don and ReNay made treasured life-long friendships in each of the many places they lived. Don especially loved the mentor-mentee relationships that formed and strengthened over the years.

Don taught elementary education from 1976-1984, later working for the Sonoma County Office of Education, and Apple Computer, Inc, helping to integrate technology into classrooms. His passion for technology and its impact on learning left an indelible mark on the lives of many students and educators.

Don was a lifelong runner and collegiate steeplechaser, a passion he shared with his two daughters, Erica and Caitlyn. He took immense pride in teaching them the value of dedication, endurance, goal-setting, and the joy of running. Don was remarkably proud of his grandchildren and cherished every moment with them, and they loved their Papa Z.

In the early 2000s, Don’s father and brother both passed from ALS, giving Don a 50-percent chance of developing familial/genetic ALS. Don turned this devastating news into an inspiring quest to live a full life of joy, faith, intention, sincere love, and big adventure. This bucket list led Don and ReNay to retire near their family, in Bismarck, to buy and create a beloved hobby farm. Here they have raised alpacas and chickens, complete with barn concerts and farm-to-table dinners. They took joy in sharing the farm with many.

Don was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, whose warmth, sense of humor, and deep love for his family will be remembered by all who knew him.

Don was preceded in death by his father; and brother, Robert.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, September 13 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan, with Father Joshua Waltz celebrating. Fellowship and food in the Saint Joseph School cafeteria will follow Mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the ALS Association. In Don’s memory we invite you to live with love, intention, and generosity; showing up and being present for those you care about.

Don will be deeply missed but will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all those who were fortunate enough to have crossed his path.

Special thanks to Bob Kolar for being Don’s best buddy and right-hand man. Our deepest thanks and admiration for Tonia Lofgren and Amber Cook (Dakota Home Care) for providing Don with friendship and dedicated in-home care in his later stages of ALS. We are thankful for Moriah Kane with the ALS Association; the Gleason Foundation; the entire Rochester Mayo ALS team; locally, Dr. Lezlie Link, and Dr. Dunnigan; and all who provided dignified care and comfort to Don.