George Sinner, who served as North Dakota's governor during one of the state's roughest economic times, has died. He was 89.

Governor Doug Burgum said, "North Dakota lost a great leader and a great man today in former Gov. George Sinner, a family friend and true champion for farmers and our rural way of life.” Sinner, who raised 10 children with his wife, Jane, was known as someone who liked to tell jokes — but wasn't especially good at it. Even political opponents liked him as a person. Sinner served two four-year terms as North Dakota’s 29th governor, from 1985 to 1992, after serving in the state Legislature. Born in Fargo and raised in Casselton, he received a degree in philosophy from St. John's University in Minnesota in 1950 and served in the U.S. Air Force in 1950-51.