January 21, 1927 – february 26, 2022
Charlotte “Lorraine” Zier was born January 31, 1927, to Harriet and John Grenteer. One of four daughters, Lorraine moved with the family to the Bitterroot Valley in March of 1944. She graduated from Victor High School in 1945 and married her first husband, Alex Zier, shortly after graduation. They settled in the state of Washington where three children were born to the young couple, Carol, Robert (Bob), and Charlene. When Alex died unexpectedly from complications of pneumonia in 1954, Lorraine and her three children moved back to the Bitterroot Valley. Two years later she married Jacob Zier, who was actually Alex’s brother. Two additional children were born from this union, Donald (Don) and James (Jim). With their family complete, Jacob and Lorraine lived in the Corvallis and Hamilton areas while raising their children. They often traveled back to Washington state for family reunions, which delighted Lorraine. When the kids were raised, Lorraine and Jacob later divorced.
Lorraine worked many various jobs her entire life, working well into her eighties. She may never have had the money to visit the Grand Canyon, or Niagara Falls, but she enjoyed tremendously family reunions in Fort Benton at Charlene and Ken’s or Wyoming at Jim and Steph’s. She enjoyed many gatherings at Don and Candy’s for good food, good company, and good conversation. We even surprised her one year when Carol and Kristie came to visit from Michigan without her knowledge. Oh, the look on Lorraine’s face was one that would last a lifetime!
Lorraine enjoyed her time in the Eagles Auxiliary where she progressed through all the stations. She attended several conventions with this organization and won many awards. She loved her pet dogs, especially Dolly the dachshund, her constant companion of 18 years. She loved to play cards and really loved to play bingo, until her hearing loss made this very difficult for her. She loved having her son, Bob, over every week for homemade dinner. Her dill pickle macaroni salad was to die for!
In her declining years, she moved into The Living Centre in Stevensville, first in assisted living then finally to the nursing home side. The terrific staff at this wonderful place made her last years very special. Lorraine could be very feisty and you always knew how she felt about your appearance, or beliefs, because she told you very forcefully. But her sometimes fiery personality was offset by her contagious sense of humor, always the one to pull a practical joke on unsuspecting recipients! Although she lost her short term memory in her later years, she never lost her sense of humor. The staff at The Living Centre can attest to that!
Lorraine is survived by all five of her children: Carol Newkirk (Tom), Bob Zier, Charlene Young (Ken), Don Zier (Candy), and Jim Zier (Steph). Her grandchildren include Jon, Kristie, Ron, Marc, Marcia, Angie, Christopher, Cassie, Tina, and Crystal. Her 13 great-grandchildren include Alex, Anya, Anton, Andrei, Natasha, Cameron, Kaylee, Kobe, Kyrie, Zoey, Taylor, Allie, and Cody. She will be missed by her family and all her bingo buddies she made throughout her lifetime.
A celebration of the life of Charlotte Lorraine Zier with a spaghetti luncheon will be held on May 14, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post 94, 754 Middle Burnt Fork Road, Stevensville.