Elnora “Stevie” Zadow crossed over peacefully at Friendship Villa in Miles City on Sunday October 12, 2014. She has reunited with the love of her life, her husband Gilbert, and all the other people she loved who passed before she did.
Stevie was born on August 16, 1924 in Bayard, Nebraska, the first child of seven of Fred and Pauline Steffan. She attended schools in Bayard and excelled academically, especially in music for which she received awards and recognition. Following graduation she worked for a time in Bayard and assisted her mother and siblings following the death of her father, Fred in 1943.
Like many of “The Greatest Generation, she worked in defense industries during World War II. She relocated to Los Angeles and worked for Lockheed Aircraft. She later was a personal assistant to a “Dollar a Year Man”, Mr. Alexander who was a defense contractor. This job led to travels to Mexico City, Seattle, and Chicago. She joined the U.S. Navy in 1944, but did not have parental consent and received an honorable discharge.
She married Bob Karnes in June 1944 while he served in the Navy. Following Bob’s overseas service, they lived in Seattle and Bremerton Washington, and Great Lakes, Illinois. She continued to do secretarial and administrative assistant work while in Illinois. During this time her first child, Bob was born in 1946. Shortly after his birth she moved to Sidney, Montana where her mother and siblings had relocated after her father’s death. She divorced Bob Karnes in 1946.
After her move to Sidney, she met Gilbert Zadow who was recently discharged from the Army Air Force. They married on March 30, 1947. They continued to make their home in Sidney. They added to their family in 1947 with the birth of their daughter, Tawnea, in 1955 with their son, Bill, and in 1964 with another son, Patrick
Steve and Gilbert’s lives revolved around their home and family. Stevie was pretty much a “stay at home mom”. They enjoyed attending athletic events, church activities and hunting and fishing. They provided assistance to their brothers and sisters, and especially both their aging parents. As the oldest child in her family, she took on the role of family matriarch and was always available to help any family member in need of support.
Once her children were raised she went back to work and for a time was an aide for the elderly visually impaired. She also enjoyed working as a sales clerk for a pharmacy and shops for women. Following the death of her husband, she worked as a hospice volunteer in the bereavement services.
Because of the accumulation of health problems, she sold her home and resided at the Lodge in Sidney. She later relocated to Miles City to reside with her son Bill. She stayed at the home in Miles City until her health reached the point where she needed full time care and was admitted to Friendship Villa where she received wonderful care by the staff and by Holy Rosary’s Hospice program.
She was preceded in death by her husband Gilbert, her parents, Fred and Pauline Steffan, and brothers Lee, Al, Red (Leonard), and Whitey (Ralph) and sisters Florine and Ricky (Fredricka), daughter Tawnea, and daughter in law Jackie.
She is survived by her sons, Bob Zadow (Judy), Bill Zadow (Jackie), Patrick (Stacey), ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Stevie was especially proud that she had read the Bible from cover to cover. She felt her faith sustained her through all her trials and loss of family members who were younger than her.
According to her wishes, immediate cremation has taken place. A family memorial service will be held at the Fulkerson Funeral Home on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 17, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney. Any memorials may be designated to the Holy Rosary Healthcare Center, Hospice program in Miles City.
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Thursday October 16, 2014
Fulkerson Funeral Home
315 2nd Street NW
Sidney, MT 59270
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday October 17, 2014
Trinity Lutheran Church
214 Lincoln Ave. S
Sidney, MT 59270
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Thursday October 16, 2014
Fulkerson Funeral Home
315 2nd Street NW
Sidney, MT 59270
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday October 17, 2014
Trinity Lutheran Church
214 Lincoln Ave. S
Sidney, MT 59270
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Clarice Opsta says
Steve’s family: I was a neighbor to Steve for many years and saw her when she moved to the Lodge, what a great lady, we were always invited to barbecues at her nephew, Barry’s and a good friend of mine, always enjoyed each orhers company. Pat and my son were went to school together too and were good friends. You all have lots of good memories and what a great lady! Clarice Opsta
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Zadow Family,
Our thought and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. What great memories you have of her! Cherish them. God Bless.
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences to the family of Elnora Zadow. Bob, your mother was beautiful. Not sure my name is familiar but worked at Rosebud Health Care in Forsyth and at times worked on issues with Bob.