Frances Pauline Ziebarth passed away peacefully with her family by her side January 9, 2020.
Frances was born February 5, 1928 at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana. She was the fifth of seven children born to John and Maryann (Zabrocki) Losinski.
Frances grew up on the family ranch, Wasan Flats, Montana, northeast of the Little Dry. She attended school in Cohagen, Montana. During the school year, her parents and older siblings were away. She spent her seventh and eighth grade year tending to her two younger siblings, Joe and Stella. The three of them lived in a tar paper shack where she mastered cooking on a coal stove. She told of her mom and dad making a lone trip by horse drawn sleigh to bring the much-needed supplies. She had learned hard work, a strong will and determination at a young age and these attributes never left her.
Frances graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Miles City, Montana in 1947. During that time she was active in the Civil Air Patrol, later working for George Foster of Foster Drug, the telephone company, and for Leo and Ruby Keilman Distributing.
Frances married Walter E. Ziebarth October 8, 1949. The first years of their marriage were spent between Miles City and Popular, Montana in a little travel trailer while Walt worked road construction. Eventually they settled in Miles City, where Walt built a home for them by Frances’ design. At the time, Walt worked for Reeds Radiator Repair on 7th Street. It was during that time that Walt was diagnosed with cancer and countless trips were made to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Walt did recover and they were able to purchase Reed’s Radiator Repair. They changed the name to Ziebarth Radiator and Brake and while Walt fixed the cars, Frances kept the books. She was a devout Catholic and would often be seen praying the rosary throughout the day. She often said it was her Catholic Faith and the rosary that got her through Walt’s cancer scare and recovery.
In those early years, Frances greatly enjoyed her nieces and nephews. While her brother Hubert was ill, she and Walt took their niece and nephew Bob and Carol Losinski under their wings. Bob tells of times spent with Aunt Frances and Uncle Walter, camping and fishing in the Beartooth’s and going to Yellowstone Park, while their mother, Jenny attended summer teaching school. As Bob and Carol grew into their own, Fran and Walt felt a longing for children of their own. On a crisp October morning 1962, Fran received the call from Catholic Charities adoption program. After waiting 10 long years, they were to receive their baby girl, Dianna Marie. Four years later, in December of 1966, another call would announce the arrival of a baby Boy, Walter Gerard would complete their family. Frances was not only a devoted spouse, but a nurturing mother and grandmother. She would often be found in the rocking chair reading story books with her children and later her grandkids. She took great pride in her children and grandchildren following them to concerts or ballgames, always cheering them on.
Frances was an expert cook and seamstress. If she wasn’t making clothes for the kids, she was making fancy band uniforms for “Uncle Walt’s Old Timers” or “Uncle Walt’s Versatiles,” a little band she and Walt Sr. put together with Speed Melville and Dale and Toni Hardy. Frances played the drums and guitar in their little ensemble. They played at the Log Cabin Bar and the VFW in Miles City and traveled to the Baker/Plevna area for an occasional hoedown. Fran and Walt participated in the Muriel Cooksey yearly accordion jamboree, an event they thoroughly enjoyed, and would bring their music to the local nursing homes. Always sporting a cheery red lip, they enjoyed playing lively music with a beat. They loved playing music together and they weren’t too shabby on the dance floor either.
After the kids were grown, Frances took on a little babysitting, caring for her two grandchildren, some of the younger neighborhood kids and a few relatives. Fran and Walt were always quick to open their home, even taking in a couple of live-in clients for a period of time.
Frances took great pride in her cooking, baking and chokecherry wine making abilities, her wine even winning a blue ribbon at the Eastern Montana Fair. Frances’ children and grandchildren would all agree that at Christmas time Almond Roca was her specialty. On one occasion, she and daughter Dianne had made several batches. Forgetting she had left the sheets to cool on top of the car, Frances took off to the hardware store for a candy thermometer. It wasn’t’ until she got back that she noticed the toffee on top of the car, all sheets still, surprisingly, intact. The story still brings a laugh as Dianne continues the Roca tradition each Christmas time.
After Walt Sr’s passing in 1997, Frances continued to lead exercise class at the drop-in center. A chance encounter at the grocery store, she met Lily Smith. During their brief conversation, Lily informed Frances that she was visiting her elderly mother who was living at home by herself on Rosebud Creek. She was looking for a temporary in-home care attendant for her. Frances offered her services and a few weeks turned into a few years. This random encounter developed into a friendship that lasted until Fran’s recent passing. The Church continued to be a big part of her life. If she wasn’t attending mass along with her niece Joanne Richardson, she would often be seen “hoofing it” to daily and Saturday evening mass.
She lived in the home that she and Walt had built until November 2017. She then moved to Holy Rosary Extended Care where she found several of her acquaintances and friends from childhood were now neighbors once again. Frances rarely missed a game of Bingo, Pokeno or Yahtzee, still always sporting her signature red lipstick. The staff say that each morning she greeted them with “Top of the morning to you!”
Frances always took the time to remind her family that she loved them. She loved being a mother and grandmother and was overjoyed when she found out that she was to be a great-grandmother as well. Two great-grandsons were born to the family in June and October of 2019. While she was not able to meet them in person, she was able to see and hear them via facetime just weeks before she passed away.
Frances is survived by her children, Dianna (Jim) Smith, Walter Jr. (Michelle) Ziebarth, grandchildren, Josh (Michaela) Quinlan, Taneasha Quinlan, Angel (Matt) Thompson, two great-grandsons, Micah Quinlan and Atlas Thompson. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Walter, brothers Conrad, Hubert, Lawrence and Joseph, sisters Wanda and Stella.
Special thank you to niece and nephew, who were there countless times over the years Joanne Richardson, Greg (Linda) Losinski, to Holy Rosary Extended Care Nurses, Nursing Assistants and Hospice Nursing Staff, Deacons Tony Sandau and Bill (Donna) Zachmann.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2020 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City followed by a Rosary/Vigil service at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Calvary Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 5, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City , Montana 59301
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 5, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 6, 2020
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N. Montana Ave
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday March 6, 2020
Calvary Cemetery
Cemetery Rd.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 5, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City , Montana 59301
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 5, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 6, 2020
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N. Montana Ave
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday March 6, 2020
Calvary Cemetery
Cemetery Rd.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Jim & Lavina Hall says
Go with GOD Frances, He knows you lived a good life.
MARTHA CRANDALL says
My sympathy
Joanne Richardson says
Dianna & Jim, Walter & Michelle. Josh, Taneasha and families – There are so many great family memories of times spent with Aunt Frances . She lived a full life of deep faith and love for her family. Enjoyed all the time I spent with her so much. Will miss her dearly. Keeping each of you in my prayer at this time.
Diane Welbes says
Sorry to hear about your loss. May it comfort you to know that I care.
Kevin Donnelly says
Grande lady will be missed by many. Many memories of Frances & Walt. When you think of the old Miles City The Ziebarths were a part of it. Would not be complete without them. God be with all of you
Betty Fridrichson says
Just learned of your loss, I will miss my dear friend so much. We had so many happy times together, TOPS Club, eating out, etc. What a lady she was, and Loved by all.
Sharon Volkman says
For all of the Ziebarth relatives So sorry for your loss. Frances was a very nice lady. One day, years ago, she brought to me a nice set of silverware that had belonged to my Grandma Annabelle many, many years before. It was about 1958 when Annabelle and Joe Ziebarth had the banquet at the Crossroads Inn. With Joe’s children and husbands and wives were there. A very nice gathering.
Peggy & Brian Certain says
So sorry for your loss. Her grandchildren were very special to her!
Dee (Claus) Nelson says
Dianna, Walter, and families;
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. It has been years since I’d seen her but will always remember Aunt France’s voice and smile.
Chauncie Parker says
Zee, and Walter,
I’m sorry to hear of your loss of your mom. May Frances Rest In Peace.
Love you, Chauncie
Amy Schmidt Ray says
So sorry to hear about your mom, Zee and Walter. Our sympathy to your family
Chris Choate Raible says
My thoughts and prayers to you at this sad time. She was a lovely lady and I have fond memories growing up with you and at your house.
Love,
Chris
R Hathaway says
Sorry for your loss Walter
M G says
When someone we love fall asleep in death the memories we have of them become our treasure. So take time to grieve and find comfort in knowing that God is near all those calling on Him. Psalms 145:18. My condolences to the family.