Jesse Michael Zarr

Jesse Michael Zarr, 45, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Services will be held at 10:00 AM CT on Friday, January 23, 2026 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Center with Fr. Basil Atwell officiating. A celebration of life will follow at the Center Civic Center. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck, ND.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM CT on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Center with a rosary and vigil service at 6:00 PM.

Jesse was born on October 16, 1980 to Richard and Brenda Zarr. He grew up in Center, ND and lived there for the majority of his life. Jesse was a hardworking and dedicated man who took great pride in his work and the life he built.

Through the years, Jesse worked as an auto body technician at Duane's Body Shop, welder and fixer-of-all at Center Machine Shop, and then BNI Coal where he was employed as an oiler on the dragline. He was known for his strong work ethic and willingness to do the tough jobs. His work was important to him, and he valued the friendships formed on the job.

Outside of work, Jesse was an avid golfer, placing with his high school team in the state tournament, an amazing cook who was always in search of the world's greatest (and hottest) deli sandwich, and a skilled dart player with the local dart league.   His true lifelong passion was cars.   He took particular pride in his award winning 2000 Chevy Camaro and a rebuilt 1995 Chevy Silverado which he enjoyed modifying with friends and family.   Whether talking about engines, admiring classic cars, or trying to find the perfect engine sound (constantly) on his phone, cars were one of his greatest pleasures. 

Jesse knew what truly mattered: family, friends, and community. He was always there to help, stepping up with quiet humility and a sense of humor that made everything a little easier. He supported the people around him simply because he cared, never looking for credit.

He is survived by his parents, Richard and Brenda Zarr, his brothers Scott (Lisa), Casey (Alison), his nieces Gracie and Katie Zarr, his Pomeranian Angel, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Johnny and Alice Lorenz, John and Florence Zarr, his aunt Tammy Lorenz, and his cousin John-O Zarr.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Jesse, please donate to Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue.    Jesse was a dog lover who fostered and adopted dogs through Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue.  https://furryfriendsrockinrescue.org/.

Arrangements are conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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