Zak Noel Oien

November 16, 1967 - June 16, 2020

Zak Noel Oien was born November 16, 1967 after his mother labored a day at Hillsboro Hospital. It was hard on both of them. He was a first child of two inexperienced parents. He was baptized at Halstad Lutheran Church. He was a mischievous toddler that found numerous ways to torment his little sister. He was dearly loved and enjoyed growing up in Little Chicago in rural Halstad. He was confirmed at Halstad Lutheran Church by Pastor Howard Stewart, who also had baptized him. In his teens, he purchased a Mustang and thus began his love for autos. After graduating from high school in Halstad, he attended two years at Moorhead Technical College learning auto mechanics. He moved on to Bemidji Technical College for one year to study auto machining. Zak lived and worked in International Falls for 29 years. He rebuilt motorcycles, worked on boats, cars, trucks and whatever was brought in for repairs. His life passion was his work and he was devoted to the store, Northern Auto Parts that was later acquired by Auto Value. Zak was an introvert. He was a private person and kept to himself. He was very honest and meticulous in his work. He was described as having a different personality with a dry sense of humor. He owned a 1968 Buick Wildcat convertible that remains a work in progress. In 2019, he purchased a Dodge Ram Warlock that was his pride and joy. Zak passed on from natural causes at his apartment on June 16, 2020. Everything that love could do was done! No services will be held. He leaves his parents, Betty Jean and Wally Oien, a sister, Amber Dee Oien, all of Halstad as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elmer and Ardis Horge and Earl and Connie Oien; aunts, Maxine Holm and JoAnn Dietrich; and uncle, Wendell Oien.